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It's been a whirlwind week following the Bengals' 18-16 Wild Card loss to the Steelers last Saturday night. The fallout of the game has continued to come down, with a slew of fines to both teams and multiple parties doled out by the NFL.
Earlier in the week, Bengals cornerback Adam Jones made the proclamation that Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown faked the severity of an injury he suffered after Cincinnati linebacker Vontaze Burfict hit him in the head after a play. Jones said Brown had winked at him while being helped off the field. Jones later stated he'd send out a public apology to Brown should his injury prevent him from playing against the Denver Broncos in the Divisional round of the playoffs. Brown was ruled out for the contest on Friday.
Call Jones a man of his word, as he took to Instagram on Friday afternoon to send out an apology to Brown:
In his apology via Instagram, Jones said "A.B.! My apologies, my brother. I'm a man of my word--I've been doing a little traveling, that's why it's took me so long. But, man, I apologize sincerely. Get well". Jones received a major punishment from the league with the fines given out this afternoon; his totaled $28,940, mostly due to his contact with an official after the Brown hit.
Brown won't be suiting up for the Steelers this weekend, nor will running back DeAngelo Williams, who has been ruled out with an ankle injury suffered in Week 17. Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has been ruled questionable after suffering a shoulder injury on a sack from linebacker Vontaze Burfict.
Regardless of the outcome this weekend, the rivalry between the Bengals and Steelers has reached new levels, apologies given or not. It will be interesting to see if Brown reacts to the apology and how he acts as the two teams continue to meet in the years ahead.