Roethlisberger denies rift but admits Brown hasn't returned calls

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger says he has no issues with receiver Antonio Brown after it was reported that the two were engaged in a heated dispute during Wednesday's practice.

"That's what baffling to me, people are making a big deal about a walk-through on Wednesday, a fight between he and I," Roethlisberger said on his radio show on 93.7 The Fan. "If there was a blow up or something, I sure as heck didn't see it. I'm not sure where that comes from."

Brown reportedly threw a football at Roethlisberger during the walk-through practice. He elected to sit out the rest of the week's practices and subsequently missed a Week 17 game against the Cincinnati Bengals as a disciplinary measure.

Roethlisberger says he talked with the receiver the following morning and "everything was great" and that Brown remains one of his closer friends, according to The Athletic's Jeremy Fowler. However, Brown hasn't returned the quarterback's calls or texts since then.

"I've reached out to him numerous times," Roethlisberger said. "I've called him and texted him. And I know other guys on the team have, too, and haven't heard back from him."

Head coach Mike Tomlin will be holding a press conference on Wednesday, and Brown will likely be a major topic of discussion.