A.J. Brown Injury Update, Latest on WR's Timeline to Return to Patriots Ahead of Jets Game

The New England Patriots haven't ruled out a return to practice this week for star wide receiver A.J. Brown.

Brown is eligible to be activated off injured reserve, and coach Mike Vrabel told reporters Monday there's a "chance" he's back with the team before a Week 6 battle with the New York Jets.

Vrabel might've been intentionally vague in order to keep the Jets and everyone else guessing for as long as possible. Taking him at his word, only saying there's a "chance" Brown practices isn't very encouraging.

Assuming the three-time Pro Bowler continues to be sidelined, the performance of quarterback Drake Maye offers some encouragement.

The 2025 MVP runner-up threw for 269 yards, three touchdowns and an interception in a big 29-26 win over the Buffalo Bills in Week 4. He followed that up by going 26-of-34 for 374 yards and four scores in a 45-17 blowout of the Las Vegas Raiders.

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Brown's absence was glaring as Maye threw six interceptions and averaged 7.3 yards per attempt through New England's first three games. He wasn't the same confident quarterback who shredded secondaries down the field a season ago.

Vrabel and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels may have found a way to get things clicking until Brown is back.

The Jets figure to pose a stiff test, though. They're allowing the fourth-fewest passing yards (175 per game) in the league.

Even if he's not quite at his best immediately, Brown would give New England a different dimension to the aerial attack.