A.J. Brown Injury Update, Latest News on Patriots WR's Status for Game vs. Dolphins

New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown missed practice Thursday "because of a knee issue that has flared up," NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported.

Brown was listed as limited with ankle and knee injuries on the Patriots' Wednesday injury report.

The Patriots are preparing for a Week 8 matchup this Sunday at the Miami Dolphins. Brown's status for that game is "up in the air," Rapoport reported.

Brown suffered an ankle injury in Week 1 that sidelined him for four games. He returned for the Patriots' last two contests but indicated he was playing through something in Week 7.

Brown took more than 100 snaps in those games, which were played in a span of just five days. He was targeted 16 times and made six catches for 75 yards across the stretch.

When asked Wednesday if he was still working on regaining his explosiveness after his return from IR, Brown said, "Sometimes I see it, and sometimes I'm pushing through."

"I know, obviously, I'm working on something, but there's no excuses," Brown said.

Patriots EVP of player personnel Eliot Wolf told Yahoo Sports' Jori Epstein after acquiring Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles in June the wide receiver had a "degenerative knee condition."

"It's a factor, but we examined him," Wolf told Epstein in June. "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."

Wolf noted at the time Brown had missed just one regular-season game to a knee issue. Brown also downplayed the issue when asked about his knee health this summer.

The Patriots are already missing Romeo Doubs and Mack Hollins after the wide receivers were placed on injured reserve with shoulder and calf injuries, respectively.

Pop Douglas was serving as the Patriots' WR1 in front of Kyle Williams and Efton Chism III with Brown absent from Thursday's practice, per ESPN's Mike Reiss.

The Patriots also have wide receivers Chandler Brayboy, Kyle Dixon, Cameron Dorner and Ryan Miller on the practice squad.

Brown's potential absence could put more pressure on the Patriots to improve their rushing attack. Quarterback Drake Maye has gained almost as much ground (211 yards) as top running back Rhamondre Stevenson (285 yards) through seven games.

Stevenson, who also ranks fifth on the Patriots in receiving yards, could step up in the long term. Brown's absence still raises concerns about his long-term future before the three-year, $96 million extension he signed with the Eagles in 2024 kicks in next season.