“I think we’re all disappointed,” Gruden said after practice, per ESPN. “We think he’s disappointed. We’d like to get the party started. We’d like to get him out here. He’s a big part of the team.”
After nine seasons in Pittsburgh, Brown, 31, was acquired in a trade by the Raiders, who signed him to a three-year, $50,125,000 contract. The team’s expectations for Brown are high.
But Brown’s absence should not be a complete surprise to Gruden. Brown missed much of the Steelers’ camp last year, and just last week Gruden said, “I expect a lot more drama from No. 84. I really do.”
Well, he’s getting it.
Brown, who was well enough to arrive at camp in a hot-air balloon, is out because of a non-football injury. Although there has been no official word on what that injury is, The Athletic reported that Brown was seeing a foot specialist Saturday.
Brown led the NFL in touchdown receptions last season with 15 and finished with more than 1,200 yards receiving for the sixth consecutive season.
