A.J. Brown Injury Update, New NFL Rumors on Return Timeline Amid Patriots' 'Optimistic' Outlook

New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown will miss his second consecutive game due to a knee injury that has hampered him throughout his career, but the team isn't down on his prospects, insider Tom Pelissero reported on Saturday.

The Patriots traded a 2028 first-round pick to acquire Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason, but the results have been underwhelming through the first half of the season. Brown suffered an ankle injury during the team's regular-season opener against the Seattle Seahawks.

The 29-year-old returned from a stint on the injured reserve list in Week 6, and he played four days later when the Patriots faced the Chicago Bears on Thursday Night Football. Then, Brown popped up on the injury report with a knee issue.

The quick turnaround between the games may have put additional stress on Brown's knee, but the Patriots are "optimistic" he could return after the team's Week 11 bye, according to Pelissero.

The Los Angeles Rams were also interested in trading for Brown during the offseason, but they were reportedly scared off by the medical concerns with his knee, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported. New England head coach Mike Vrabel, who drafted Brown during his time as head coach of the Tennessee Titans, was evidently more comfortable with the medical evaluations.

Brown has only caught passes in each of the three games he played in this season, bringing his tally up to nine receptions for 101 yards and no touchdowns. There was belief that the eight-year veteran would be a great fit as a vertical threat for quarterback Drake Maye, who has been one of the best deep-ball passers in the league. That hasn't proven to be the case: Brown is only averaging 8.3 yards per catch — significantly down from his career average of 15.3 yards per reception.

New England will host the Green Bay Packers on Sunday as they look to keep pace with the Buffalo Bills in the AFC East.