The Patriots got a welcome sight this week when AJ Brown got back on the practice field, but the wide receiver’s status for Sunday’s game against the New York Jets is still very much undecided.
Brown has been out since suffering a high-ankle sprain in his Week 1 Patriots debut against the Seattle Seahawks, and he has now missed more than four weeks. He was limited in practice on Wednesday and returned as a limited participant again on Thursday, offering at least a hint that a comeback is getting closer.
Still, Brown didn’t sound ready to call it. After Thursday’s session, he said the final call will come down to Mike Vrabel.
"It's still up in the air. Obviously, it's gonna be Coach [Mike] Vrabel's decision to see where I'm at and make the better decision for the long haul, not just temporarily," Brown said.
He added that his focus is day by day as he continues to build toward a return.
"I'm just trying to stack things every day. Right now my focus is going into today, just trying to get better and then just see how I feel after. ... today we're in pads, a lot more moving, you know from yesterday when guys weren't really trying to touch me," he explained about the difference in practices.
Brown’s situation has already forced the Patriots to prepare for two different versions of Sunday’s offense. According to the Boston Herald’s Doug Kyed, offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has a plan ready if Brown is active, and another if he isn’t.
McDaniels pointed to the versatility of the receiving group around Brown, naming Efton Chism III, Romeo Doubs, Kyle Williams, Hunter Henry, DeMario "Pop" Douglas, and rookie Eli Raridon as players who can fill roles if needed.
"Yes, we have already talked about that, and the guys are studying both ends of the spectrum. And I'd say that's a credit to the guys because you talk about Chiz, Kyle, Romeo, Pop, Eli, Hunter. They all know multiple positions, and that's a great strength of our group in that we have some versatility," he said.
If Brown is cleared, it would give Drake Maye another major target and provide a real lift to the Patriots passing game. But with a high-ankle sprain and a season still in front of them, New England has every reason to be careful before pushing him back too soon.
The Patriots and Jets meet Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.
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