TAMPA ―The NFL has suspended Bucs receiver Antonio Brown, safety Mike Edwards and former Bucs receiver John Franklin III three games without pay for using fake COVID-19 vaccination cards.

All three players accepted their discipline and waived their right to an appeal, the league said in a statement released Thursday.

The league began its investigation after the Tampa Bay Times reported that Brown obtained and utilized a fake COVID-19 vaccination card, according to his former live-in chef, Steven Ruiz.

The NFL Players Association represented all three players during a joint review that supported the allegations and found each violated league protocols.

Brown, 33, is recovering from an ankle injury he suffered in a 28-22 win at Philadelphia Oct. 14. The Bucs said the injury will force him to miss Sunday’s game at Atlanta and the next game Dec. 12 against Buffalo at Raymond James Stadium.

With the suspension, Brown and Edwards won’t be eligible to return until Week 16, when the Bucs host the Carolina Panthers the day after Christmas.

When the Tampa Bay Times reported allegations that Brown had used a fake COVID-19 vaccination card, the Bucs issued a statement saying all their players were vaccinated and “no irregularities were observed.”

But on Thursday, they thanked the NFL for its handling of the matter.

“We appreciate the League’s timely handling of this matter and recognize the importance of health and safety protocols that have been established,” the team said in a statement. “We will continue to implement all league COVID-19 protocols.”

The problems for Brown, Edwards and Franklin may not end with the NFL’s suspension. Using and/or selling fake vaccination cards is a felony subject to fines and up to five years in prison.

At the time of the allegations, Brown’s attorney, Sean Burstyn told the Tampa Bay Times that Brown had been vaccinated at a drive-thru site before he met Ruiz last June in Los Angeles.

But after Brown received his suspension Thursday, Burstyn said the Bucs receiver decided not to challenge the NFL review.

“Mr. Brown is vaccinated and continues to support the vaccine for any person for whom it is appropriate,” Burstyn said. “The NFL made its determination and, instead of going through the drawn out and distracting process of challenging the outcome, Mr. Brown wrapped this up promptly and he will make the most of this time treating his ankle injury. Mr. Brown will be motivated, well rested, and in the best shape of his life when he returns in week 16.”

Edwards, a valuable member of the Bucs secondary at safety who also plays a slot cornerback position, did not participate in practice for the second straight day due to a knee injury.

In Sunday’s comeback win over the Colts, Edwards forced a fumble and made a tackle on a 72-yard kickoff return by Isaiah Rodgers that might have tied the game in the closing seconds.

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Franklin, the star of the Netflix series Last Chance U, was cut in August by the Bucs when the team reached its 85-man roster limit. He spent all of 2020 on injured reserve after tearing his ACL but received a Super Bowl ring.

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