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Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin confirmed that tight end Ladarius Green was in the NFL's concussion protocol after Week 15. Green hasn't played since. It is unclear when he will be able to return.

Continue for updates.

Green Out vs. Patriots

Sunday, Jan. 22

The Steelers announced Green will not play against the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship on Sunday.

Latest on Green's Practice Status

Friday, Jan. 20

The Steelers announced that Green was limited in practice on Friday.

Concussion Issues Have Hampered Green

Green has a history of concussions, as he suffered two during an 11-day span in September 2015. The 26-year-old opened training camp on the physically unable to perform list after undergoing offseason ankle surgery. He also suffered from recurring headaches in August.

That was hardly the most encouraging start for the dynamic tight end after he signed a four-year, $20 million deal with the Steelers in the spring, but he rehabilitated and eventually returned to the gridiron in Week 10 against the Dallas Cowboys and started to establish chemistry with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

A year after posting career highs of 37 catches for 429 yards and four touchdowns as a complement to Antonio Gates, Green hauled in 18 passes for 304 yards and one score through six games in the regular season. He mostly worked as a supplementary option behind Le'Veon Bell, Antonio Brown, Sammie Coates and Eli Rogers.

Tight end Jesse James has been thrust into a more significant role with Green on the shelf. James has generally been used as a blocking and red-zone specialist, but he has solid hands and is capable of filling in for Green at a mammoth 6'7" and 261 pounds.