The hits just keep on coming for the New England Patriots, and for A.J. Brown in particular. The veteran wide receiver exited the team’s game against the Detroit Lions in the early fourth quarter after suffering a hamstring injury late in the third.
The Patriots initially announced Brown as questionable to return with a hamstring issue, before later ruling him out.
Brown, 29, suffered the injury on his second reception of the game, a 21-yarder to move the chains on a third down. He also had to briefly
exit the game after his first catch earlier on the same possession; he walked off the field with trainers after hitting his head but ultimately came back after one snap.
The hamstring issue, on the other hand, forced him to spend some time in the medical tent before walking back to the locker room. It was the latest in a long line of medical issues the offseason trade acquisition has had to deal with so far this year.
Brown suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 1 against the Seattle Seahawks and was forced to miss four games as a result. He returned in Week 6 but after only two games was sidelined again: a knee issue forced the Patriots to hold him out for the subsequent two games, and he only made his return against the Lions. He played 28 snaps before his departure.
The injury was not the only concern for the Patriots. Quarterback Drake Maye injured his ankle in the first quarter and also was unable to finish.
