Patriots WR A.J. Brown Misses Thursday Practice With Knee Flare-Up, Status for Dolphins Game Up in the Air
New England's top receiver added a knee issue to his ankle problem this week, and the Patriots' wide receiver room is suddenly very thin heading to Miami
Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown didn't practice Thursday because of a knee issue that has flared up, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported, and his status for Sunday's game in Miami is up in the air.
Brown was listed as limited on Wednesday's injury report with both an ankle and a knee injury. The knee is the new problem. He's been working through the ankle since coming off injured reserve, after an ankle injury in Week 1 cost him about a month, and he admitted Wednesday it still isn't fully healthy. "Sometimes, I'm pushing through," Brown said. "But none of that stuff even matters. I'm out here, so I'm going."
#Patriots WR AJ Brown, not spotted at practice today, is not practicing because of a knee issue that has flared up, sources say. Brown also was listed on yesterday's injury report with an ankle. Knee was added, as well, and his status for Sunday is up in the air.View on X →
Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet): #Patriots WR AJ Brown, not spotted at practice today, is not practicing because of a knee issue that has flared up, sources say. Brown also was listed on yesterday's injury report with an ankle. Knee was added, as well, and his status for Sunday is up in the air.
Thursday was the first practice he fully missed since being activated.
The production hasn't matched the offseason trade from Philadelphia, either. Brown has caught nine of 20 targets for 101 yards in three games, and he hasn't topped four catches or 50 yards in any of them. He had three catches for 27 yards in the Week 6 win over the Jets and three for 26 in last Thursday's 30-24 loss to the Bears.
New England can't easily absorb his absence. With Mack Hollins and Romeo Doubs also hurt, DeMario Douglas led the receivers in drills Thursday, with Kyle Williams and Efton Chism III next in line. Those three are the only other wide receivers on the active roster, so a practice-squad elevation is likely if Brown can't go.
The Patriots (4-3) visit the Dolphins (1-5) on Sunday, Nov. 1, at 4:25 p.m. ET on CBS. A win would put Mike Vrabel's team at 3-0 in the AFC East. Friday's practice report, which comes with game designations, will tell the story on Brown.