Antonio Brown continues to be absent from Raiders training camp with the season fast approaching. Brown has dealt with complications of frostbite on his feet from a cryotherapy session, but video of him going through walkthroughs at seemingly full speed indicated he was close to 100 percent.
However, his ongoing dispute over the NFL placing the helmet he’s worn for his entire career on the banned list continues to keep him away. Brown’s Schutt AiR Advantage helmet did not pass safety standards, and his appeal to wear it was denied. He was allowed the chance to find a model manufactured after 2010, but that came with the caveat that it still had to pass the league’s safety testing.
He did, but the helmet did not and as such he remains a holdout from Raiders camp with just two more weeks before the start of the season. While the team has tried to support him in his fight with the league over the helmet, GM Mike Mayock spoke on Sunday with reporters and indicated that the team feels they’ve done all they can and need Brown to effectively get over and either be “all-in or all-out” when it comes to this season.
Antonio Brown not here because he’s upset about helmet. Mike Mayock wants him back with team. He’s all in or he’s all out. #Raiders pic.twitter.com/3eQejXQYfq
— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) August 18, 2019
“Here’s the bottom line, he’s upset about the helmet issue,” Mayock said. “We have supported that. We appreciate that. OK, but at this point we’ve pretty much exhausted all avenues of relief. So from our perspective, it’s time for him to be all-in or all-out. We’re hoping he’s back soon. We’ve got 89 guys busting their tails. We are really excited about where this franchise is going and we hope AB is going to be a big part of it starting Week 1 in Denver. End of story, no questions.”
It’s clear that the Raiders are tired of answering questions about Brown’s absence and the helmet issue, which clearly isn’t going to get league approval. As such Mayock decided to speak on the record briefly and walk away, making it clear that it’s time for Brown to make a decision. The question is whether the Raiders will be firm with the star receiver as far as making him either be “all-in or all-out” or if they’ll welcome him in should his dispute carry into the season.
