New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown returned to practice on Wednesday, officially opening a 21-day window to return from injured reserve after missing four games with a high ankle sprain.
The New England Patriots are getting a major offensive boost right as their schedule tightens. Head coach Mike Vrabel announced during his Wednesday press conference that wide receiver A.J. Brown will be on the practice field, kicking off the mandatory 21-day window to evaluate his readiness for game action.
The #Patriots are opening the practice window for WR AJ Brown, coach Mike Vrabel told reporters. Brown, who remains on IR, has been pushing to practice this week. May be a bit early to return from a high-ankle sprain, but he’s trying. pic.twitter.com/eWHTUCsTDd
Brown has been sidelined since the team’s season-opening loss to the Seattle Seahawks on September 9.
Mike Vrabel Evaluates Return Timeline for Week 6 Against the Jets
While the opening of the practice window clears Brown to return to team drills, his immediate availability for Sunday’s matchup against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium remains undecided. Vrabel told reporters that the team needs to evaluate how the receiver handles his workload over the next couple of days.
Christian Gonzalez participating in practice for the first time since Sept. 25. pic.twitter.com/a09tvgWEhf
“He hasn’t been out there for four weeks, so we’ll get him back out there practicing and see if he’s ready to go in a couple days. And if not, then 21-day window and we’ll go from there.”
Mike Vrabel, Patriots Head Coach
The Patriots do not have to officially activate Brown to the 53-man roster this week. If he needs additional time to recover, the club could hold him out until Week 7 on Thursday Night Football against the Chicago Bears or target an appearance in Week 8 against the Miami Dolphins. Vrabel noted that the team’s looming short week ahead of the Chicago game will not dictate how they handle Brown’s immediate evaluation this week.
Acquired via a trade that cost New England a 2028 first-rounder and a 2027 fifth-round choice, Brown brings an impressive resume featuring three Pro Bowls, three All-Pro selections, and a Super Bowl LIX championship. The 6-foot-1, 226-pound Ole Miss product was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the second round of the 2019 NFL draft at No. 51 overall. He has amassed 527 receptions for 8,055 yards and 56 touchdowns across 106 games and 98 starts out wide, eclipsing 1,000 receiving yards in all but one of his previous seven NFL seasons. Last season for the Eagles, Brown caught 78 balls for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns.
AJ Brown back at Patriots practice. pic.twitter.com/BtzGkuey6J
Offensive Resurgence Under Drake Maye Awaiting Its Top Weapon
During Brown’s four-game absence on injured reserve, the Patriots managed a 3-1 record. The team’s offense recently hit its stride in a 45-17 thumping of the Las Vegas Raiders, leaning on a collective receiving effort from Romeo Doubs, DeMario Douglas, Kyle Williams, and Efton Chism III. Fellow veteran wideout Mack Hollins is currently on injured reserve due to a calf injury sustained in Week 4, leading the team with 209 yards while tight end Hunter Henry has 177 yards, DeMario Douglas has 147 yards, Kyle Williams has 135 yards, Rhamondre Stevenson has 111 yards, and Eli Raridon has 101 yards.
Quarterback Drake Maye has found his rhythm over the last two games, improving his deep-ball efficiency and throwing for 374 yards and four touchdowns without a turnover in the win over Las Vegas. Teammates have emphasized the immediate impact Brown brings back to the huddle, with Vrabel praising his dedication during his rehab: Just treated everything as a pro, be where he’s supposed to be and work hard to get back.
Byard also labeled Brown wide receiver one
when discussing the impending return. Cornerback Christian Gonzalez echoed that sentiment, calling the addition a huge boost for a battered roster.
Roster Movements and Accompanying Injury Updates in Foxboro
The Patriots made several concurrent transactions as they prepared for Sunday’s 1 p.m. ET divisional kickoff. Alongside Brown, New England opened the 21-day return window for swing offensive tackle Marcus Bryant, a 24-year-old 6-foot-7, 320-pounder selected in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL draft at No. 220 overall who sustained an injury during the preseason.
"There's a chance [A.J. Brown] could be back as soon as this week."@AdamSchefter gives a potential timeline for A.J. Brown's return from injury. pic.twitter.com/zoUea8gpQJ
Running back TreVeyon Henderson also exited the last game with an ankle injury, leaving the backfield heavily reliant on Rhamondre Stevenson.
On the defensive side, cornerback Christian Gonzalez is set to practice Wednesday after missing the last two games with a shoulder injury. However, fellow cornerback Carlton Davis is not expected to practice due to a neck issue.
A.J. Brown will return to #Patriots practice today. He will have 21 days to be activated off IR.Christian Gonzalez is also expected to practice in some capacity this week, per Mike Vrabel. pic.twitter.com/ZBXOYu75Nl
In addition to these moves, players such as Brown, Mack Hollins, fullback Reggie Gilliam, offensive tackle Marcus Bryant, punter Bryce Baringer, outside linebacker Quintayvious Hutchins, linebacker Khalil Jacobs, guard Mike Onwenu, safety Dell Pettus, and offensive lineman Greg Van Roten have all cleared the threshold to be designated for return from the injured reserve list.
Patriots coach Mike Vrabel says WR AJ Brown has been designated for return from injured reserve and will practice today.
More on Mike Vrabel
The Patriots are opening WR A.J. Brown’s practice window today. Brown suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 1 and went on IR. Everything is trending positively for him to return soon and this is the next step. pic.twitter.com/vPCv1OHLVF
What kind of boost does A.J. Brown’s return give the #Patriots?Kevin Byard: “Huge boost.” pic.twitter.com/ERQxOmxXj2
