Patriots expected to activate A.J. Brown for Jets clash after ankle injury
Patriots expected to activate A.J. Brown for Jets clash after ankle injury
Joseph Staszewski Sat, October 17, 2026 at 3:00 PM UTC
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New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown looks on during warmups before an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Seattle, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026.The Patriots will likely have one of their most important offensive weapons back to face the Jets.
Drake Maye and the Patriots’ offense have overcome their early-season slump over the past two weeks, and they are now likely to add one of their most important weapons Sunday against the Jets in Foxborough.
Key offseason pickup A.J. Brown is expected to be activated from injured reserve for the first time since sustaining an ankle injury in the season opener, according to multiple reports.
New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown looks on during warmups before an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Seattle, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026. AP Photo/Stephen Brashear
The 29-year-old Brown, a three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver, was acquired from the Eagles in the offseason for a 2028 first-round draft pick and a 2027 fifth-rounder.
He had three receptions for 26 yards in his team debut on Sept.9 before suffering a high-ankle sprain in the third quarter of a 13-10 loss to the Seahawks in a rematch of last season’s Super Bowl.
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Maye threw six interceptions and just one touchdown pass in the Pats’ first three games (1-2) before rebounding to compile 643 passing yards with seven TDs and one pick in New England’s back-to-back wins against the Bills and the Raiders.
Getting back Brown should provide a boost to a receiving corps featuring Romeo Dobbs, DeMario Douglas, Kyle Williams and Efton Chism III, with Mack Hollins sidelined with a calf injury.
“I think you see it in the NBA. It’s probably the closest thing that I can think of,” Maye said earlier this week. “When they start doubling the best player once they get past half court, then they’re just leaving a corner 3 open or leaving a guy open for a dunk. So it’s kind of like playing receiver with a guy like that.
“We’ve got a lot of guys that have made plays now, so it’s going to be tough on defenses. But I know we’ve got a tough challenge this week, so looking forward to it.”
A.J. Brown #1 of the New England Patriots sits on the field with an injury against the Seattle Seahawks during the NFL football game at Lumen Field on September 9, 2026. Getty Images
Brown returned to practice Wednesday on a limited basis, according to the team’s injury report. He said Patriots coach Mike Vrabel would make the decision about his return for the “long haul, not just for temporarily.
Source: “AOL Sports”
