NFL Rumors: Antonio Brown’s Civil Trial Won’t Disrupt Season With Bucs

If any teams had reservations about signing Antonio Brown, it likely involved the accusations against him and how they would impact his eligibility to play in the NFL.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers took that gamble on the controversial wide receiver in October following his eight-game suspension. But further discipline remained a possibility should more damning information became available.

If that happens, however, it looks like it may not effect him this season. According to NFL Media's Tom Pelissero, the civil trial against Brown will begin Dec. 5, 2021 -- more than a year from now.

The NFL suspended Brown the first eight games of this season for two unrelated incidents, but left open the possibility of additional discipline if new evidence arises in the civil case, in which a woman accused Brown of rape and sexual assault. Brown has denied the allegations.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 1, 2020

The civil case was brought on by the receiver's former trainer, Britney Taylor, who alleges Brown sexually assaulted her on three different occasions.

We'll see how this impacts his upcoming free agency at the end of the year.