Antonio Brown claims Bucs tried to force him to play through serious ankle injury

Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Antonio Brown released a statement Wednesday addressing his midgame exit from the field on Sunday. Brown claims the Bucs tried to force him to play through a painful ankle injury and accused the organization of an "ongoing cover-up."

"Because of my commitment to the game, I relented to pressure directly from my coach to play injured," Brown wrote in a lengthy statement obtained by CBS Sports. "Despite the pain, I suited up, the staff injected me with what I now know was a powerful and sometimes dangerous painkiller that the NFLPA has warned against using, and I gave it my all for the team."

Brown said he stopped playing because he could no longer "safely perform my playing responsibilities," and said the pain was "extreme." Although he does not mention him by name, Brown claims head coach Bruce Arians tried to force him back into the game despite knowing about the injury, and that after he refused, the coach shouted "you're done."