NFL Officially Between a Rock and a Hard Place With Antonio Brown After Latest Update

Following a press release from the Allegheny County Police Department, it has been made clear that Antonio Brown will not be facing any criminal charges for at least two of the offenses.

The New England Patriots wide receiver will not face charges on two sexual assault allegations in June 2017 due to the statute of limitations for these crimes, according to police. Under this federal law, sexual assault cases older than two years can not generate a criminal charge.

What this means is that, at least for the first two alleged offenses committed by Antonio Brown, there will be no criminal inquiry. That is potentially significant, as it relates to his eligibility and status to continue playing. https://t.co/Fj5DZdRrZb
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 18, 2019

This gives Roger Goodell quite the tricky situation to navigate.

If Brown were to face criminal charges, Goodell could place him on the commissioner's exempt list while he allows the legal process to take its course. Without these chargers, the means by which the NFL could punish Brown has become extremely limited.

Antonio Brown update: Allegheny County District Attorney has contacted Britney Taylor's attorney over the June 2017 allegation in the federal lawsuit, but two-year statue of limitation applies. Source said the DA likely made contact with intention to investigate.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) September 18, 2019

Until these accusations go away, which doesn't appear likely, questions about how the Patriots and league should handle AB will continue to fester until they are proven, one way or another.