The New England Patriots are leaving the door open for wide receiver A.J. Brown to return in Week 10.
Head coach Mike Vrabel said Monday morning that while no final decision has been made on Brown’s availability, the current plan is for the veteran receiver to travel with the team to Germany on Wednesday.
“I mean I think that that’s the plan,” Vrabel said. “I mean, certainly we want to — we haven’t — there’s no decision on that, but I would imagine that that’s the plan and try to work to continue to get
guys back that can get back and be healthy and help the football team. That’s the goal. So, to be able to answer that right now, today, I can’t do that with a few guys, but I know that that’s the plan is to try to get everybody that can help us to get on the plane on Wednesday and go over there and help us win.”
The Patriots will practice in Foxboro on Wednesday before departing for Germany that evening. Once in Munich, New England is scheduled to hold a walkthrough Thursday before ramping up to a full practice Friday.
Brown’s potential return would provide a significant boost to a Patriots offense that has struggled to keep its receiving corps healthy. Acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles in June in exchange for a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round selection, Brown has appeared in just three of New England’s nine games this season.
The 29-year old suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 1 before returning for Weeks 6 and 7. However, a previous knee injury flared up ahead of Week 8, forcing him to miss the Patriots’ last two games.
Through three appearances, Brown has recorded just nine receptions on 20 targets for 101 yards and no touchdowns.
Without Brown, the Patriots wide receiver room features just DeMario Douglas, Efton Chism III, Kyle Williams, and Mack Hollins, who returned from injured reserve himself this past week.
The Patriots are set to take on the Detroit Lions in Germany on Sunday with kickoff at 9:30 a.m. ET. New England will then be off on their bye week.
