NFL: Antonio Brown is back with Raiders -- at least for now

Antonio Brown is back in camp, at least until the next little slight or mishap. The Oakland Raiders welcomed back Tuesday their wayward, mercurial wide receiver a week after he skipped out because he wants to wear a helmet that exposes him to greater injury/health risk.

His return delights Raider Nation, as well as HBO, whose weekly "Hard Knocks" series is handed another storyline on a silver-and-black platter.

However, Brown is not ready to practice. While the situation with protecting his head is resolved, at least for the time being, a lingering issue with his feet remains.

Brown's toes are still disfigured from apparently not wearing the correct footwear while undergoing cryogenic therapy, which involves applying a cold chemical to the body, in France. In a classic case of too much information, Brown posted a pic of his unsightly feet on Instagram.

Unsure of when Brown will take the field again, coach Jon Gruden expressed confidence Tuesday that the high-profile offseason acquisition will play in the regular season opener.

Naturally, Brown left the door cracked slightly to the possibility that the helmet caper is not over.

He asked Twitter followers on Tuesday if they could help find his helmet of choice -- Schutt Air Advantage (adult large) --manufactured in 2010 or since. The NFL has banned use of helmets made at least 10 years ago.

Thirty-two players must switch this season. From all reports, only one objected. Brown appealed the ruling to the league, and an arbitrator sided against him.

Problem is, the helmet-maker Schutt halted the model in 2009. Which means that if any of Brown's followers claim to possess a newer one, it's a fake.

The older headgear was deemed outdated because it lacks some safety features. While it is understandable that Brown became so accustomed to the helmet that he finds it comfortable, wearing one that offers less security seems odd.

Then again, Brown's track record indicates he is prone to taking offense at relatively minor rules and decisions that his peers would simply shrug off.

That Gruden would publicly support Brown in the helmet debate, though not necessarily agreeing with him, is evidence that coaches are willing to tolerate eccentrics who produce in a big way. Brown has registered more than 1,200 receiving yards in each of the past half-dozen seasons while averaging 11 touchdowns.

Those flashy numbers are unlikely to be reduced because he initially wears unfamiliar protection for his noggin.