The Tampa Bay Buccaneers provided a statement regarding the story that broke earlier Thursday that Bucs wide receiver Antonio Brown obtained a fake vaccination card to avoid NFL protocols.

In the statement, Tampa Bay appears to stand by Brown.

“We received completed vaccination cards from all Tampa Bay Buccaneers players and submitted the required information to the NFL through the established process in accordance with league policy. All vaccination cards were reviewed by Buccaneers personnel and no irregularities were observed.”

A story from the Tampa Bay Times was released stating that Antonio Brown avoided NFL's COVID-19 protocols by obtaining a fake vaccination card, earlier Thursday. The story cited a former live-in-chef of Brown's, Steven Ruiz. Ruiz stated that he received texts from Brown's girlfriend back in July asking if he was able to get the fake vaccination cards.

Reportedly, Antonio Brown was willing to pay $500 for it. Ruiz was unable to acquire the cards. However, Brown supposedly showed Ruiz multiple fake cards prior to Buccaneers training camp.

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Brown's lawyer, Sean Burstyn, has come out with a statement since the story broke saying that Brown has been vaccinated. He then told people to “Be like Antonio Brown and get the vaccine.”

The Buccaneers have been without Brown's services since he sustained an ankle injury Week 6. Tom Brady and the Buccaneers offense has not looked the same without Brown.

Brown was listed as a non-participant at Thursday's practice, placing further doubt that he will be able to play this weekend. The Buccaneers host the New York Giants on Monday Night Football.