New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown's comeback may have lasted all of two games.
Brown did not practice with the rest of his team on Thursday, Oct. 29, according to multiple reports. The star wide receiver was already limited in practice on Wednesday, Oct. 28 with a couple of lower body injuries, but his practice status has regressed as the week has progressed.
The former Philadelphia Eagles wideout has already missed four games this season after a high ankle sprain in Week 1 landed him on injured reserve. Brown has played in three out of the Patriots' seven games since New England sent a 2027 fifth-round pick and a 2028 first-round pick to Philadelphia to acquire the receiver.
As a Week 8 clash with the Miami Dolphins approaches, Brown
appears to be at risk of missing a fifth game this year.
Here's what we know about the three-time Pro Bowler's status:
A.J. Brown injury update
The 29-year-old Brown did not practice on Oct. 29 as he deals with injuries to his ankle and knee.
NFL Media and ESPN insider Ian Rapoport reported on Oct. 29 that the Patriots initially listed Brown on their injury report on Oct. 28 as a limited participant with a knee injury. The team has since added an ailing ankle to the receiver's injury designation as he misses practice for the first time since his Week 6 return.
Brown has appeared to be less than 100% recovered in his first two games back off of injured reserve.
The wideout made his comeback in Week 6 against the Jets, where he promptly dropped two of his 10 targets and finished the game with just three catches. In Week 7 against the Bears, Brown caught three of his six targets but was 0-for-2 on contested targets and tallied just one yard after the catch, per Pro Football Focus.
Brown's status for Week 8 remains unknown.
Patriots WR depth chart
Here's how things would look in the Patriots' receivers room if Brown is able to go on Sunday, Nov. 1:
- A.J. Brown
- DeMario "Pop" Douglas
- Kyle Williams
- Efton Chism III
That is a notably short list of healthy receivers – and Brown may not be healthy. New England already has the other two of its top three receivers out on injured reserve: Romeo Doubs with a shoulder and Mack Hollins with a calf.
The Patriots do have four more wide receivers on their practice squad to fill out their depth, especially if Brown is unable to play in Week 8: Ryan Miller, Cameron Dorner, Kyle Dixon and Chandler Brayboy.
Miller is in his fourth season and appeared in five games for the Dolphins this year before they waived him. Dorner and Dixon are both UDFA rookies. Brayboy is a second-year receiver yet to make his NFL debut.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: A.J. Brown injury update: Patriots wide receiver misses more practice
