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Steelers' Antonio Brown taken to hospital for left calf injury suffered during game vs. Patriots | TribLIVE.com
Steelers/NFL

Steelers' Antonio Brown taken to hospital for left calf injury suffered during game vs. Patriots

Chris Adamski
Chris Adamski
GTRSteelers06121817
Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review
Steelers receiver Antonio Brown takes the field before a game against the Patriots on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017, at Heinz Field.
GTRSteelers12121817
Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review
Steelers receiver Antonio Brown is helped from the field after being injured during the second quarter against the Patriots on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017, at Heinz Field.

Antonio Brown was taken to the hospital as the result of a left calf injury he suffered during the first half of Sunday's game, but the Steelers have reason to believe they will have their All-Pro receiver back in time for the playoffs.

ESPN and NFL Network cited an unnamed source in reporting Brown has a partially torn calf muscle that will cause him to miss game action. Both outlets reported Brown is expected to return in time for the postseason.

Brown hobbled off the field after he got tangled up with New England defensive backs Duron Harmon and Eric Rowe and fell awkwardly as he tried to catch a pass in the end zone. The injury occurred the fourth play of the second quarter of Sunday's showdown at Heinz Field.

Brown initially was helped off the field and taken to the trainer's table on the Steelers sideline. But after only a few minutes, he was taken into the tunnel for more thorough medical attention. He was en route to the hospital by halftime.

Fans chanted "M-V-P" as Brown was being helped off the field. Even after recording just two catches for 24 yards in 21 Steelers offensive snaps, Brown maintained his NFL leads in catches (101) and receiving yards (1,533).

"(When) you lose somebody like A.B., there is an adjustment," coach Mike Tomlin said.

Brown has not missed a regular-season game in more than five years.

The Steelers initially designated him as questionable to return to the game. During halftime, a team spokesman passed along word that Brown was downgraded and taken to the hospital

"When a guy of that caliber — the best wide receiver in the world — goes out, you've got to step up as a receiving corps," receiver Eli Rogers said.

Rogers, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Martavis Bryant and Darrius Heyward-Bey combined for 12 catches for 194 yards and two touchdowns in Brown's absence.

Barring the Jaguars losing both of their final two games, the Steelers will need to win at least one of their final two games in order to secure a bye.

The Steelers play at Houston (4-10) on Christmas Day and close the regular season at home on New Year's Eve against Cleveland (0-14). The Steelers are tied with New England for the AFC's No. 1 seed, but the Patriots hold the tiebreaker. The Steelers have a one-game lead on Jacksonville for the No. 2 seed but lose the head-to-head tiebreaker.

Besides Brown, the Steelers' only other injury of note was to backup running back James Conner, who has an MCL injury.

Chris Adamski is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at cadamski@tribweb.com or via Twitter @C_AdamskiTrib.