Patriots expected to activate WR AJ Brown from injured reserve for Sunday vs. Jets

The New England Patriots are expected to activate star wide receiver AJ Brown from injured reserve in time for Sunday's game against the Jets, per multiple league sources.

Brown has been sidelined since Week 3 with a high-ankle sprain that landed him on IR, but he returned to practice this week as a limited participant before logging a full session Friday. Tom Pelissero of The Sweep confirmed the activation is on track barring a setback.

Getting Brown back opens up a Patriots passing attack that has struggled to find consistency without its top target. The Patriots' offense ranks 22nd in passing yards per game since Brown went down, and quarterback Drake Maye has completed just 59 percent of his passes to receivers outside the backfield.

New England's receiver room beyond Brown is thin — the team's next most productive wideout, Ja'Lynn Polk, is working through a groin issue that's kept him limited in practice. Brown's activation would give the Patriots their best downfield weapon against a Jets defense that has allowed 258 passing yards per game over the last three weeks, fifth-most in the league. Head coach Mike Vrabel said Friday there was optimism Brown would be ready, and the activation window lines up with New England's push to get its offensive pieces back for the second half of the season.