Steelers’ Antonio Brown ruled out with concussion vs. Broncos

Adam Jones owes us an apology. Maybe Vontaze Burfict, too.

The Pittsburgh Steelers announced that wide receiver Antonio Brown, who suffered a concussion in the final minute of the victory over the Cincinnati Bengals,will not play Sunday in the divisional round of the playoffs against the Denver Broncos.

The hit on Brown earned Burfict a three-game suspension, pending an appeal. Jones questioned Brown, accusing him of faking the concussion and told HBO’s Brandon Marshall on Around The NFL that he would issue an apology if Brown was ruled out. Time to pay up, Adam.

Brown’s loss can’t be overstated. He roasted the Broncos for 16 catches — including several big ones late in the 34-27 comeback victory — for 189 yards and two TDs, chewing up Broncos cornerback Chris Harris Jr. in the process.

Over the past two seasons, Brown has missed a grand total of 88 plays — and on those plays, the Steelers have averaged only 1.6 yards per play on those snaps. Enough said.

Now the Steelers have to hope that Martavis Bryant, Markus Wheaton and Darrius Heyward-Bey can step up at receiver and a shorthanded backfield can compensate for Brown’s loss. This all with the fact that quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, while expected to play, is coming in with a badly hurt shoulder.

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Eric Edholm is a writer for Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Eric_Edholm