Steelers' Brown reportedly has partially torn calf muscle

New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) celebrates his touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Don Wright)

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) is tackled by New England Patriots free safety Devin McCourty (32) during the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Vince Williams (98) intercepts a pass intended for New England Patriots running back James White (28) during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) braces for a hit by New England Patriots strong safety Jordan Richards (37) at the end of a run during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. The Patriots won 27-24. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) passes during the second half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) sits on the turf after throwing an interception in the end zone during the second half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Don Wright)

New England Patriots strong safety Duron Harmon (30) celebrates with strong safety Patrick Chung (23) after intercepting a pass in the end zone from Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger as time runs out in of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Eli Rogers (17) scores during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Don Wright)

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) comes down with a two-point conversion with Pittsburgh Steelers strong safety Sean Davis (28) defending during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. The Patriots won 27-24. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (19) runs on a 69-yard pass play during the second half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Don Wright)

New England Patriots strong safety Duron Harmon, center, celebrates his interception in the end zone of a pass from Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. The Patriots won 27-24. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Martavis Bryant (10) celebrates his touchdown with teammate JuJu Smith-Schuster (19) during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) celebrates with center Ted Karras (75) as they leave the field after defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers in an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) slips a tackle by Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Artie Burns (25) for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Don Wright)

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Martavis Bryant (10) dives to make a catch on a pass from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger with New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore (24) defending during the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Don Wright)

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell (26) dives for the end zone for a touchdown with New England Patriots cornerback Eric Rowe (25) defending during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Don Wright)

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) blocks for running back Le'Veon Bell (26) during the second half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Don Wright)

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) is helped off the field after being injured during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) takes his helmet off as he leaves the field after throwing an interception in the end zone to New England Patriots strong safety Duron Harmon as time runs out in an NFL football game , Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jesse James (81) has a knee down before crossing the goal line with a pass from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger during the second half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Don Wright)

New England Patriots strong safety Duron Harmon (30) celebrates his interception in the end zone of a pass from Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. The Patriots won 27-24. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Artie Burns (25) breaks up a pass intended for New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

The Steelers received a huge blow in the second quarter Sunday when superstar receiver Antonio Brown got knocked out of a crucial game against the New England Patriots with an injury to his left leg.

The news got worse at halftime, when the team announced he was being taken to a hospital for further evaluation of a calf injury.

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After the game, reports indicated Brown was diagnosed with a partially torn calf muscle that would not require surgery, and that he could return to play this season.

Earlier in the game, Brown became the first player in NFL history to record 100 catches in five consecutive seasons. He’s been mentioned as an MVP candidate – no wide receiver has ever won that award.