The Patriots may be getting a major piece back just in time for Sunday’s meeting with the Jets.
A.J. Brown is expected to come off injured reserve and be available to play in Week 6, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport. Brown, the Patriots’ 29-year-old star receiver, has been on IR since going down with a high ankle sprain against the Seahawks in the season opener.
“The Patriots will likely activate WR AJ Brown off Injured Reserve to play against the Jets on Sunday,” Rapoport reported on Saturday morning.
Brown returned to practice this week, but his status had still been in question. A Week 7 comeback against the Bears in Chicago on Thursday night had looked like the more realistic target, and Mike Vrabel wasn’t completely closing the door on that being the timeline either.
“We’ll have to see how he responds from practice today and then go from there,” Vrabel told reporters on Friday.
Brown was limited over his three days back on the field, beginning Wednesday, but he has sounded confident about his progress.
His absence was felt immediately. New England watched an opening-night lead disappear in Seattle after Brown left the game, then followed that with a 35-6 loss to the Jaguars on Sept. 27.
Since then, the rest of the receiver group has started to flash in back-to-back wins. Efton Chism delivered a one-handed game-winning touchdown against the Bills, Kyle Williams has been electric with 27 yards per catch, and DeMario Douglas and Romeo Doubs have chipped in as well.
Still, Brown’s return would give the Patriots a different kind of punch. Mack Hollins remains out after going on injured reserve before the Raiders game because of a calf injury, and New England had only four active wide receivers in Week 5. Brown coming back would get the Patriots back to five receivers and add another layer to the passing attack.
That’s the part fans have been waiting for since the offseason trade brought him in. Even if his workload starts out limited, Brown gives New England a chance to add some real juice against a division opponent.
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Patriots Suddenly Have A Week 6 Question Jets Fans Will Notice
The Patriots are heading into Week 6 with a healthier-looking roster than theyve had in recent weeks, and that matters with the Jets coming to town. A.J. Brown is expected to be activated off injured reserve, Christian Gonzalez has said hes ready after missing time with an injury, and New England is also expecting help from a couple of other important pieces as it tries to steady itself in the division.
Running back TreVeyon Henderson and offensive tackle Will Campbell both appear on track to suit up, according to NFL Insider Ian Rapoport, which would give the Patriots a boost in both the backfield and up front. Hendersons return is especially notable after his ankle situation left some doubt around his availability, and the way New England manages those returns could shape how it handles a Jets defense eager to test whatever rust remains. [Read more 🡒]
Patriots Fans Already Trust One Fill-In Option If Left Tackle Changes
Will Campbells knee injury briefly put the Patriots in a spot theyd rather avoid, but rookie Caleb Lomu gave them at least one encouraging answer. After Campbell exited early and was limited in practice, Lomu stepped in at left tackle and held up well in pass protection, giving New England a usable option if the line has to absorb another adjustment heading into this week.
The larger takeaway is that Patriots fans do not seem to view the position as a panic point, even with the uncertainty around Campbells availability. A recent fan survey found a majority believe Lomu can handle fill-in duty at left tackle, and a sizable chunk are especially confident in him, which says plenty about how quickly he has earned trust in a spot that usually makes supporters nervous. [Read more 🡒]
Drake Maye Faces A Patriots Test That Could Change Everything
The Patriots head into their matchup with the Jets in a far healthier spot than they have been for much of the season, and that alone changes the conversation around Drake Maye. New England is getting key help back at the right time, with A.J. Brown set for his first home Patriots debut after missing four games with a high-ankle sprain, while TreVeyon Henderson and Will Campbell are also expected to return. Add in Mayes strong showing in the previous game, and there is at least a little more optimism around an offense that has been searching for consistency.
Still, this is the kind of test that can expose young quarterbacks quickly. The Jets bring one of the leagues better defenses in both total defense and points allowed, so the Patriots cannot afford to give them extra chances with turnovers. New England should have a slightly different look on offense with reinforcements available, while the Jets will be without Breece Hall, which could alter how they try to answer back. For Maye, it is the sort of matchup that can either steady the momentum or make the next step feel a lot farther away. [Read more 🡒]