NFL notebook: Raiders GM Mayock weighs in on WR Brown

[August 19, 2019]  The Oakland Raiders' Antonio Brown was absent from practice Sunday, and general manager Mike Mayock sounded fed up with the star wideout.

"Y'all know that AB is not here today, right?" Mayock said, addressing reporters in a video that was distributed on the Oakland Raiders' Twitter page.

"So here's the bottom line: He's upset about the helmet issue. We have supported that; we appreciate that. OK? But at this point, we've pretty much exhausted all avenues of relief. So, from our perspective, it's time for him to be all in or all out."

Brown was a full participant in the team's walkthrough on Saturday, but he has had only one full-speed practice and two walkthroughs, in part because he was recovering from foot blisters caused by a cryotherapy mishap and lately because of the helmet issue. His old helmet is no longer approved for NFL use, and when Brown used social media to find a newer version of his favored model -- the Schutt AiR Advantage -- it failed NFL testing.

--Atlanta Falcons rookie offensive lineman Kaleb McGary will resume on-field work this week in practice but has not been cleared for contact, coach Dan Quinn said.

McGary, the No. 31 overall pick in the draft, underwent cardiac ablation on July 31, a procedure designed to correct heart rhythm issues.

Oakland Raiders wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) looks on during the first half against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

The team said McGary previously had two similar procedures, which are considered minimally invasive.

--The Chicago Bears, still hunting for a kicker, waived Elliott Fry.

Still, no one should assume that Eddy Pineiro, the remaining kicker in camp, has won the job.

The team is searching for a replacement for Cody Parkey, who was cut after he missed a 43-yard attempt that would have given Chicago a win over the Philadelphia Eagles in the wild-card round of the playoffs in January. Instead, the Bears lost 16-15 after Parkey missed the kick with seconds remaining.

--Field Level Media

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