The Patriots may be getting a badly needed boost at wide receiver sooner than expected, and A.J. Brown’s latest appearance around the team is a promising sign.
Brown is working back from the high-ankle sprain he suffered in the Week 1 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, and he’s currently on injured reserve. The four-week minimum means his first possible return comes in Week 6 against the New York Jets. That timeline had been in question after earlier reports suggested he could be sidelined six to eight weeks, but Wednesday brought a more encouraging update.
According to The Boston Herald’s Doug Kyed, Brown was seen in the locker room and did not appear to be laboring.
“Patriots WR A.J. Brown is in the locker room today. No noticeable limp in my view,” Kyed reported.
That lines up with the growing belief that New England is at least hoping Brown can be back as soon as he’s eligible. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo said earlier this week that the Patriots are targeting that Week 6 window.
“The hope is that he’ll be back Week 6,” Garafolo said. “Now that’s a hope; it’s not a firm one. That’s when he’s eligible to return, but we’ll see how that goes.”
For a Patriots offense already dealing with thin numbers at receiver, any sign of progress matters. Mack Hollins has led the group with 209 receiving yards, while Romeo Doubs is right behind him with 203. But Hollins is now dealing with a calf injury of his own, leaving his status for Week 5 up in the air.
“I hope so. That’s the goal,” head coach Mike Vrabel said, per Kyed, when asked if Hollins will practice this week.
If Hollins can’t suit up, New England will need even more from Doubs and Hunter Henry, who ranks third on the team with 133 receiving yards. The Patriots will also be looking for more production from Kyle Williams and DeMario Douglas, who have combined for just 126 receiving yards in 2026.
The Patriots are set to host the surprising Las Vegas Raiders at 1 p.m. ET Sunday on CBS.
In Other News...
Patriots Have A Gabe Jacas Opportunity They Can't Ignore
The Patriots pass rush has been thin enough to make every possible reinforcement worth a look, especially with losses and injuries already testing the depth chart. In that kind of spot, the idea of adding a veteran edge rusher like Khalil Mack from the Chargers carries obvious appeal for New England, not just for what he could still bring on the field, but for the kind of experience he could pass along in the room.
Gabe Jacas is part of why this conversation matters in the first place. The Patriots appear to have a young player whose game shares some traits with Macks, and pairing him with a proven pro could accelerate that development in a hurry. Whether New England decides the price is worth it remains the real question, but the fit is easy to see, and the need is hard to ignore. [Read more 🡒]
Patriots May Be Eyeing A Veteran Fix For Their Run Game
The Patriots are still looking for help in the backfield, and that search brought veteran free-agent running back Jamaal Williams to Foxborough for a workout. New England evaluated Williams along with other free agents as it continues to sort through possible depth options for an offense that could use more stability behind its top runners.
Williams brings eight NFL seasons of experience and a resume that includes a strong 2022 campaign with the Detroit Lions, which makes him the kind of established option teams often check on when they want insurance at running back. The Patriots have not signed him yet, but they have kept roster spots open for exactly this kind of addition, leaving the door open as they weigh whether a veteran presence fits their plans. [Read more 🡒]
Patriots Are Getting Early Proof They Made The Right WR Call
The Patriots spent the offseason reshaping their wide receiver room, bringing in A.J. Brown in a trade and signing Romeo Doubs while moving on from Stefon Diggs and dealing Kayshon Boutte. It was the kind of aggressive reset that can look smart on paper and awkward on the field early, especially after Brown landed on injured reserve and Doubs had a rough start before finding his footing over the last few games.
Romeo Doubs recent improvement has given New England at least a little early validation for how it handled the position, even if the full picture is still developing. Across the league, former Patriots target Michael Pittman Jr. has not exactly stormed out of the gate after being traded to the Steelers, with his production lagging behind the expectations that came with his extension, and that contrast only sharpens how much these receiver decisions matter for a team trying to get the room right. [Read more 🡒]