TAMPA, Fla. — Antonio Brown says he’s grateful to be back in the NFL and reunited with Tom Brady.

“Tom is my boy, one of the greatest leaders to be around,” the seven-time Pro Bowl receiver — back after missing most of last season and then serving an eight-game suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy — said after practicing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the first time Wednesday.

“He’s encouraging, always inspiring. He brings out the best in people around him,” Brown, wearing a Brady TB12 hat during a video conference call, added. “He wants the best for everyone around him.”

The former Steelers, Raiders and Patriots receiver signed a one-year contract that could be worth up to $2.5 million and expects to make his debut for the Bucs when the NFC South leaders host the New Orleans Saints on Sunday night.

The 32-year-old Brown hasn’t played in the NFL since September 2019, when he had four receptions for 56 yards and a touchdown in the only game he played with Brady during a brief stint with New England.

The suspension that ended after the Bucs played the New York Giants on Monday night stemmed from an incident that drew police to the receiver’s home in South Florida earlier this year.

Brown is also facing a civil lawsuit filed by a woman who accused him of sexual assault.

“I took a lot of time off from the game to reevaluate myself, to look within, to get a better perspective of myself and work on myself within and without,” Brown said.

Brady welcomed Tampa Bay’s decision to give Brown a chance to resume his career and is allowing the four-time All Pro to stay with him in a home the quarterback is renting from baseball Hall of Famer Derek Jeter.

Brown said he appreciates Brady’s support.

“I’m extremely grateful to be here. ... First and foremost, being away from the game for a year and a half, just to be a part of the process and be out there with the guys today was surreal, something I don’t take for granted,” Brown said.

“I won’t say I’m a different person, but I’m a better person,” he added. “Learning a lot about myself, working on myself.”