Report: NFL won't place Brown on exempt list ahead of Week 2

As of now, the NFL will not place New England Patriots receiver Antonio Brown on the commissioner's exempt list, leaving the wideout eligible to play in Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported.

Schefter added that Brown isn't being placed on the list because there is no criminal investigation underway into the federal rape lawsuit filed against him by a former trainer.

Meanwhile, the Patriots are preparing to play their latest addition in Week 2, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Friday morning on "Good Morning Football."

"At this point, there's been nothing from the NFL to step in and say Antonio Brown is not allowed to play," Rapoport said.

Rapoport added that the Patriots could always hold the four-time All-Pro out if he hasn't gotten up to speed with the offense, but that it wouldn't be related to the rape lawsuit.

"Nothing has stepped in and stopped Antonio Brown from being eligible to play," Rapoport said. "It certainly seems like that is the direction that things are going to go in New England."

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick wasn't willing to share whether he's leaning toward playing Brown or not.

"I'm not going to hand out a copy of the game plan here," Belichick said Friday morning, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. "We'll do what's best for the team."

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