Sports · American Football · 1 hr ago
A.J. Brown’s status for Patriots-Jets game remains uncertain
Patriots receiver A.J. Brown returned to practice this week after missing four games with a right high-ankle sprain.
He was hurt in New England’s season-opening loss to Seattle and has been on injured reserve.
Brown says he is unsure about playing Sunday against the New York Jets, after describing his recovery as a step-by-step process.
Coach Mike Vrabel will decide whether Brown is ready, based on how his ankle responds to practice.
The Patriots have 21 days to activate him from injured reserve or he will remain there for the rest of the season.
New England is 3-2, and getting Brown back could strengthen its offense, which has been without the receiver it acquired from Philadelphia this offseason.
The team faces the Chicago Bears four days later, so the short turnaround may also factor into decisions about Brown’s return.
A.J. Brown was activated from injured reserve and played in the Patriots’ 26-19 win over the Jets on Sunday.
He returned after missing four games with a high ankle sprain suffered in Week 1.
Brown was targeted 10 times but had three catches, three drops and a muffed onside kick recovery attempt.
He said his timing was off, but the injury did not affect his performance.
Brown said he expected to be ready for the Patriots’ Thursday game against the Chicago Bears.
- Who
- A.J. Brown, wide receiver for the New England Patriots.
- What
- He returned from injured reserve against the Jets, recording three catches and three drops.
- When
- Sunday, October 18, 2026.
- Where
- The Patriots played the New York Jets; the venue is not stated.
- Why
- Brown had missed four games after suffering a high ankle sprain in Week 1.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Brown suffered a high ankle sprain in the Patriots’ loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
The Patriots designated Brown to return from injured reserve, according to Pro Football Rumors.
The Patriots activated Brown from injured reserve for the game against the Jets.
Brown returned against the Jets in a 26-19 Patriots win.
Brown was expected to play when the Patriots visited the Chicago Bears, according to ESPN and ProFootballTalk.
- Opponent
- New York Jets
- Final score
- Patriots 26, Jets 19
- Targets and receptions
- 10 targets; 3 catches
- Drops
- 3, a career high according to ESPN
- Injury
- High ankle sprain suffered in Week 1
- Next game
- Chicago Bears, Thursday night
14 sources
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What A.J. Brown returning to practice means for the Patriots
What people are saying
My timing was off. I'm much better than what I put on display today. There's no excuses. I'll be better.
I didn’t play good. I don’t know, like, my timing was off.
He's going to be one of the best players on the field every time he steps on it.
I'm confident that he'll come back and do a lot of things that help us here the rest of the season.
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The #Patriots will likely activate WR AJ Brown off Injured Reserve to play against the #Jets on Sunday, sources say. Brown returned to practice this week after a stint on IR with a high-ankle sprain and now an anticipated return to the field.
Patriots activate WR A.J. Brown to the 53-man roster.
Patriots WR A.J. Brown will practice today.