John Brown Injury: Updates on Cardinals WR's Concussion and Return

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver John Brown was placed in the concussion protocol by the team on Aug. 1, but he now appears ready to return to the field for Week 1. 

Continue for updates.

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Brown Active vs. Patriots

Saturday, Sept. 10 

The Cardinals announced Brown is playing Sunday against New England.  

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Brown Comments on Recovery, Potential Return

Tuesday, Aug. 30

“I’m just taking it one day at a time,” Brown said on Monday about playing in the regular-season opener on Sept. 11 against the New England Patriots, per Bob McManaman of the Arizona Republic. “My focus right now is just being able to practice, just being able to get through a full practice.”

McManaman noted Brown said after Monday's practice that he's not concerned with the headaches, but how long the headaches linger. 

“Yes, because this is my first concussion, my first time dealing with it,” Brown said. “But the coaches and the trainers are doing a great job taking their time with it. We’re just waiting to see what the outcome is going to be.

“It’s been really hard just to see my teammates out there working real hard and I haven’t been able to help them and to not put in the type of work they’re putting in is kind of stressful.”

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Arians Comments on Brown's Status

Monday, Aug. 29

Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians told reporters Brown is "making progress" and has gone two days without having a headache. Arians added that he hopes Brown is back soon.

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Latest on Brown's Practice Status

Thursday, Aug. 25 

Josh Weinfuss of ESPN reported that Brown left practice on Aug. 25 with a trainer after having headaches on Wednesday.

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Brown Emerged as Weapon for Cards in 2015

Brown tallied 696 yards and five touchdowns in his rookie season and developed into even more of a threat during the 2015 campaign. His talent was on full display in Week 6 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, when he notched 196 receiving yards as a major part of Carson Palmer’s arsenal. He finished the season with 1,003 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.

Brown boasts speed and shiftiness in the open field and helped the Arizona offense win the NFC West last season as the league's second-best scoring unit. He is a downfield threat who complements Larry Fitzgerald’s steady consistency and thrives in single coverage when opposing secondaries focus additional attention on the veteran.

The Cardinals still have plenty of weapons on their offense, but this is a team that could win a title if healthy.