Wide receiver A.J. Brown was absent from Patriots practice Thursday after being added to the injury report with a knee injury Wednesday.
According to NFL Network, Brown missed practice due to a knee issue that flared up. His status for Sunday is now reportedly up in the air.
The 29-year-old has a history of knee issues. Patriots Executive Vice President of Player Personnel Eliot Wolf acknowledged Brown’s degenerative knee condition to Yahoo Sports after New England acquired him in exchange for a 2028
first- and 2027 fifth-round draft pick. Wolf added that the team examined the wear and tear on Brown’s knee before completing the deal and that its medical staff signed off on the trade.
Brown was also listed on Wednesday’s injury report with an ankle injury as he continues to recover from a high ankle sprain he suffered in the season opener. Since returning from injured reserve in Week 6, Brown’s production has been modest, with just six catches on 16 targets for 75 yards over the past two weeks.
Speaking before practice Wednesday, Brown hinted that his explosiveness had not returned to its usual level but declined to make excuses for his performance.
“I’m trying to put my best foot forward. I know obviously I’m working through something, but it’s no excuses. I made none in the first week I was out there,” Brown said. “The things I can control, I try to control. That’s the only thing. I don’t look at anything as positive or negative, if that’s what you’re looking for. It’s information.”
With Brown’s status uncertain for Sunday, the Patriots active roster features just DeMario Douglas, Kyle Williams, and Efton Chism III at wide receiver. Kyle Dixon, Cameron Dorner, Chandler Brayboy, and Ryan Miller are currently on the team’s practice squad.
The Patriots are set to kickoff against the Dolphins in Miami on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET.
