Antonio Brown Reportedly Has Partially Torn Calf Muscle; Playoff Return Possible

UPDATE (9 p.m. ET): Antonio Brown has a partially torn calf muscle, NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported Sunday night, citing a source. It appears his season isn’t completely lost, though.

ORIGINAL STORY: PITTSBURGH — The injury bug that has plagued the NFL this season bit Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown on Sunday.

Brown injured his left leg on an end-zone target early in the second quarter of the Steelers’ Week 15 matchup with the New England Patriots. He went into the Steelers’ sideline pop-up medical tent before departing for Pittsburgh’s locker room.

Brown couldn’t put pressure on his left leg as he was helped off the field. He originally was listed as questionable but later was ruled out with a left calf injury and was transported to the hospital for further evaluation, the Steelers announced at halftime.

Here’s the play in which the injury occurred:

The injury looked very painful, but initial reports suggested no long-term injury.

Some of the NFL’s most exciting players, including Houston Texans defensive lineman J.J. Watt, New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier and Houston Texans quarterback DeShaun Watson already suffered season-ending injuries this season. The Patriots lost wide receiver Julian Edelman and linebacker Dont’a Hightower earlier in the year.