New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown missed practice due to ankle and knee injuries, leaving his status uncertain for the team’s upcoming game against the Miami Dolphins. Brown missed practice for the second consecutive day due to a flared-up knee issue alongside an ongoing ankle injury, leaving his status uncertain ahead of Sunday’s Week 8 divisional matchup against the Miami Dolphins.
The New England Patriots found themselves navigating a rapidly narrowing offensive depth chart as wide receiver A.J. Brown and running back TreVeyon Henderson were absent from the start of Friday’s practice. Head coach Mike Vrabel officially listed both players as questionable for the team’s Sunday road game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
While Henderson is battling a mid-week illness that has kept him out of practice for two days, Brown’s situation involves a more complicated physical hurdle. The wideout, who has been working his way back from a grade 3 high ankle sprain suffered in the season-opener against the Seattle Seahawks, saw a longstanding knee issue flare up during the week.
No sign of WR A.J. Brown at practice. https://t.co/iho2uHG7tY
Patriots Knew of Brown's Knee Condition During June Trade
The sudden return of Brown’s knee trouble has brought renewed scrutiny to the offseason trade that brought him to Foxborough. On June 1, the Patriots acquired Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a 2028 first-round draft pick and a 2027 fifth-round selection.
At the time of the deal, New England Executive Vice President of Player Personnel Eliot Wolf acknowledged that team evaluators were well aware of a degenerative knee condition in Brown’s medical history.
Mike Vrabel said AJ Brown is questionable to play Sunday due to a knee injury. pic.twitter.com/g64s94rCV8
It’s a factor, but we examined him. He’s got a knee that has some wear and tear that we were aware of. Our training staff and medical staff signed off on it.
That knee issue has resurfaced after a stretch for the receiver, who returned from a four-game stint on injured reserve in Week 6 against the New York Jets. Playing games against the Jets and Chicago Bears tested a player who had logged just eight quarters of football in nearly two months.
#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. pic.twitter.com/WvVJl6S6J6
Brown noted physical discomfort from his ankle ailment, stating that despite the limitations, he has little choice but to suit up when cleared.
Yeah, sometimes, you know, I see it, and sometimes, I’m pushing through. But none of that stuff even matters. I’m out here, so I’m going.
Patriots Friday injury report & game statuses for NE vs. MIA: https://t.co/bQtqUjBSGv pic.twitter.com/neH87J5WBv
Mike Vrabel Dismisses Pushing Concerns as Receiving Corps Thin Out
When reporters asked head coach Mike Vrabel whether the team rushed Brown back too quickly from his high ankle sprain, the coach firmly separated the two health concerns.
I think those are separate issues here,
Vrabel told reporters on Friday, emphasizing that the coaching staff wanted their best players on the field after Brown logged heavy snap shares of 76.5 percent in Week 6 and 90.7 percent in Week 7.
If Brown cannot make the trip to Miami, the Patriots’ receiving depth will be severely tested. Long-term injuries have already placed wideouts Romeo Doubs (shoulder) and Mack Hollins (calf) on injured reserve. That leaves just DeMario Douglas, Kyle Williams, and Efton Chism as healthy wide receivers.
To bolster the group, New England may look to its practice squad, which features Cameron Dorner, Chandler Brayboy, Kyle Dixon, and Ryan Miller.
In June, Eliot Wolf acknowledged A.J. Brown had a degenerative knee condition but the Patriots medical signed off on the trade.Fast forward to this week and Brown has a knee issue that's flared up and his status for Sunday is up in the air https://t.co/q7ep30dK6G
Final Decision Awaits Saturday Evaluation Before Hard Rock Stadium Clash
With the team scheduled to travel to Miami on Saturday afternoon around 3 p.m., the coaching staff plans to make a game-day eve evaluation.
Just wasn’t able to practice or finish practice on Wednesday, and so we continue to treat him, and then we’ll see where he is tomorrow.
Very obvious he did this overcompensating for the ankle he wasn’t ready to be back on.
The outcome of that Saturday assessment will determine whether Brown can take the field for Sunday’s 4:25 p.m. kickoff against the Dolphins, or if New England must rely on its reserves to patch together an offense.
Eagles fans have been calling this out all offseason. Pats fans thought we were just hating.The explosiveness is gone. The knee issues came back in late 2024 and he hasn’t been the same player since. It’s not going to get better, only worse.
More on A.J. Brown
Patriots Wednesday injury report for NE vs. MIA: https://t.co/fJi6wFa0MB pic.twitter.com/HP8Ywl1tLb
Patriots WR A.J. Brown admits his ankle is not fully healthy after IR stint: "I'm pushing through"https://t.co/0u6f1NBq2f
Patriots Thursday injury report for NE vs. MIA: https://t.co/AQuITitoaR pic.twitter.com/2hsEz2Faoq
From @GMFB: The very latest on #Patriots WR AJ Brown, #Eagles RB Saquon Barkley, and #Vikings RB Aaron Jones. pic.twitter.com/J22KtUSW5m
Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel on WR AJ Brown for Sunday: "His status is questionable."