Brown (ankle) indicated Thursday he hasn't yet undergone surgery to address his injury, and he doesn't plan to do so unless a team signs him, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Brown's announcement on that front presents yet another barrier to any potential return to the playing field, as his recovery process won't even begin until a team agrees to sign him. It had previously been stated that Brown was scheduled to undergo ankle surgery shortly after having been cut by the Buccaneers back in January. When factoring both Brown's injury situation and the circumstances under which he parted ways with Tampa Bay, it seems possible the 33-year-old may not see another opportunity in the NFL, regardless of on-field ability. In seven games with Tampa Bay last season, Brown caught 42 of his 62 targets for 545 yards and four TDs.

The Buccaneers announced Thursday that Brown's (ankle) contract has been terminated, effective immediately.

EDGE Analysis

Head coach Bruce Arians already told the media following Sunday's 28-24 win over Jets that Brown would be waived after he left the sideline midway through the game and tossed his uniform into the stands, but the Buccaneers waited four days to make the transaction official while discussing the situation with the NFL. In a statement released in conjunction with the transaction, the Buccaneers addressed claims from Brown's attorney alleging that the wideout was upset after he was asked to re-enter Sunday's game despite suffering from "broken bone fragments, ligament torn from the bone and cartilage loss" in his left ankle. The statement indicates that Brown at no point during the game disclosed his injury to the team, and adds that the receiver has refused to meet Tampa Bay's subsequent requests this week to be evaluated by an outside orthopedic specialist. Brown's attorney relayed that the 33-year-old is scheduled to undergo surgery to address the ankle injury, though it's unclear if that's still the plan now that he's been terminated from the team.

Brown released a statement Wednesday via his attorney indicating that the wide receiver is poised to undergo surgery on his left ankle in the near future, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Brown went into detail in the lead up and aftermath of Sunday's incident with Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians in which the 33-year-old left the field without his jersey and shoulder pads. In particular, Brown felt he was unable to perform the football moves that he's accustomed to due to the ankle issue that's lingered for a good part of the campaign, and then was told to got off the sideline by Arians. As for the nature of Brown's injury, an MRI on Monday revealed "broken bone fragments stuck in my ankle, the ligament torn from the bone, and cartilage loss." He acknowledged that his season is over, but he's "looking forward" to returning to action in 2022. The Buccaneers have yet to waive Brown but will do so soon. Once that transaction is made, he'll focus on rehab with the anticipation of hitting unrestricted free agency March 16.

Head coach Bruce Arians reiterated Wednesday that Brown is no longer considered part of the Buccaneers, saying the absence of a transaction is just a matter of the front office working on how to handle the situation officially, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Arians essentially shut the door on any sentiment that Brown might be able to rejoin the Bucs, though it's still possible other teams could be interested in signing the wideout for the playoffs once he's officially off Tampa Bay's roster.

Tampa Bay didn't officially waive Brown on Monday as expected, as the team's brass is holding ongoing discussions with the NFL about how to move ahead with the situation, Jenna Laine and Adam Schefter of ESPN.com report.

EDGE Analysis

Both player and team still appear set to part ways after head coach Bruce Arians said following Sunday's come-from-behind win over the Jets that Brown is "no longer a Buc," but it could take a few more days before the wideout is formally cut. Brown is set to end his time in Tampa Bay with 87 receptions for 1,028 yards and eight touchdowns across 15 regular-season games, but his two-year stint with the team was marred to a lesser extent by injury and more so by a lengthy history of erratic behavior on and off the field. His latest misstep -- leaving the sideline and tossing his uniform into the stands in the middle of the Bucs' Week 17 win -- could make it difficult for Brown to find an opportunity elsewhere, even though he's remained productive in his age-33 season.

Coach Bruce Arians said after Sunday's 28-24 road win against the Jets that Brown "is no longer a Buccaneer," Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

After Brown's departure during the second half of Sunday's game, Arians' comment comes as no surprise. As TJ Rives of Buccaneers radio reported afterward, Brown was benched by Arians, and the wide receiver proceeded to take off his pads, toss a shirt into the stands and head to the locker room in the middle of the game. Brown's first full campaign in Tampa Bay included seven appearances and nine absences, with the final three DNPs the result of a suspension for misrepresenting his vaccination status. He'll soon be subject to waivers, likely by Monday at 4 p.m. ET, and it'll be surprising if another team comes calling considering Sunday's events.

Brown (ankle) is active for Sunday's game against the Jets, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Reports had surfaced late Saturday that Brown's outlook had improved after he was able to practice earlier in the day without any reported restrictions, and his availability for the interconference clash with the Jets now is confirmed. The veteran is coming off a 10-catch, 101-yard effort on 15 targets versus the Panthers in Week 16, but the return of Mike Evans (hamstring) on Sunday after he missed the contest against Carolina could eat into Brown's volume.

Brown (ankle), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Jets, practiced Saturday and barring a setback is expected to play, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Brown tweaked his ankle in practice this week and didn't practice Thursday or Friday. Despite this optimistic report, check his status ahead of Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff.

Brown (ankle) didn't practice Friday and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Jets, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.

EDGE Analysis

Brown dealt with an ankle injury from mid-October until a few weeks ago, and he may have hurt the same ankle during Wednesday's practice. He was held out Thursday and Friday, with assistant coach Harold Goodwin suggesting Brown could be a game-time decision ahead of Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff. Fellow wideout Mike Evans (hamstring) also is listed as questionable after returning to practice Friday as a limited participant following a brief stint on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Behind those two, the Bucs have Tyler Johnson, Breshad Perriman, Scotty Miller, Jaelon Darden (reserve/COVID-19 list) and Justin Watson (quadriceps) as wideout options for Week 17.

Buccaneers assistant coach Harold Goodwin said Brown tweaked his ankle in practice this week and could be a game-time decision for Sunday's matchup with the Jets, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

It obviously isn't ideal that it's the same ankle Brown was bothered by from mid-October until a few weeks ago. However, he reportedly still has a shot to play this week, following a limited practice Wednesday and an absence Thursday. Meanwhile, Mike Evans (hamstring) is back from the reserve/COVID-19 list but also appears in danger of missing the upcoming game with an injury.