The New England Patriots acquired A.J. Brown during the 2026 NFL offseason with the hopes of him emerging as a true No. 1 target for Drake Maye.
Instead, Brown has struggled to stay on the field, playing just three games thus far in 2026 while dealing with different injuries.
The latest is a knee problem that kept Brown out in Week 8 against the Miami Dolphins. The malady is believed to be chronic, so it remains unclear exactly when the Patriots' top receiver will be able to return to the field.
Here's what to know about Brown's status for the team's Week 9 game and when he might be able to return to the field if he can't play against the Green Bay Packers.
Is A.J. Brown playing this week?
Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said during a Friday, Nov. 6, press conference he was not expecting
Brown to play in the team's Week 9 game against the Packers.
Vrabel was previously asked during a Wednesday, Nov. 4, media availability about his level of concern over Brown's injury. He declined to specifically address the veteran wideout, instead focusing on the team's upcoming game against against the Packers.
"My concern is about trying to prepare for the Packers," Vrabel said. "That's really my only concern, trying to figure out what we do today, on first and second down, how we practice, and how we can carry over the second half of last week's football game to where we look like somewhat of the expectations that I would expect us to look like. Those are my concerns and trying to figure them out."
"Certainly the health of the team is critical," he added, "but we have to make sure that the guys that are practicing are preparing for Green Bay."
When will A.J. Brown return?
The Patriots have not provided a timeline for Brown's return from his knee injury, and it doesn't seem they are going to in the immediate future.
Vrabel was asked during a news conference on Wednesday, Nov. 4, whether placing the receiver on injured reserve again was a possibility. The coach's response?
"I can just speak on today and where he's at today and what we feel like he can do today," Vrabel said of Brown. "So, that's why I said he wouldn't be out there today."
As such, it appears that Brown's status will be approached on a day-by-day or week-by-week basis as the Patriots look to get the 29-year-old on the field.
Patriots WR depth chart
The Patriots have been banged up all season at receiver, as Brown has missed most of the campaign while Romeo Doubs (shoulder) is currently on IR.
As a result, the Patriots have just three healthy receivers on their 53-man roster. Below is a look at the pecking order within their receiving corps:
- DeMario Douglas
- Efton Chism III
- Kyle Williams
The potential good news for the Patriots? They could get Mack Hollins back from a four-game absence related to a calf injury. He was designated to return from IR on Wednesday, though his status for Week 9 hasn't yet been confirmed.
The Patriots also have Chandler Brayboy, Kyle Dixon and Ryan Miller on their practice squad. They called up Miller for their Week 8 game against the Miami Dolphins, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see him elevated again.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is A.J. Brown playing this week? Latest injury update on Patriots WR
