FOXBOROUGH, Mass — The New England Patriots are riding a high, coming off a dominating win over the Las Vegas Raiders. And next up: a divisional matchup against the New York Jets.
So, let's just get straight into what I'm hearing:
A.J. Brown and Christian Gonzalez return
The Patriots have been dealing with a multitude of injuries this season, with there being a bit more bad news each week. However, for a change, New England had some good news to share on that front ahead of their Week 6 matchup against the New York Jets. Prior to practice, head coach Mike Vrabel announced that A.J. Brown, who is eligible to come off injured reserve this week, will participate in practice. Cornerback Christian Gonzalez, who hasn't practiced for two straight weeks, was also set to return.
Offensive tackle
Marcus Bryant, who began the year on injured reserve, also returned.
"A.J. will be out there to practice. We’ll see how that goes. Marcus Bryant will be out there as well," Vrabel said before being asked about the star cornerback. "Yeah. I think he'll try to do some stuff today. So, we'll see how that goes."
However, as for the Patriots' other starting cornerback, Carlton Davis, Vrabel said that he is in "not the same boat" as Gonzalez, remaining sidelined with a neck injury.
🚨 CB Christian Gonzalez has returned to practice 🚨 pic.twitter.com/cvgFfSsGUb
— Sophie Weller (@sophieewellerr) October 14, 2026
At practice, both Gonzalez and Brown were seen participating in drills.
🚨 Patriots WR AJ Brown has returned to practice 🚨 pic.twitter.com/qlRbEb6Yly
— Sophie Weller (@sophieewellerr) October 14, 2026
Gonzalez also spoke with reporters, in which he said he's "good. Ready to go."
"I've been itching, kind of going a little crazy when I'm not getting to play," he explained. "It's hard. Put in work with all these guys, and then you don't get to be out there with them. But I'm good now. Ready for Sunday. So that's what I'm looking forward to."
The cornerback was also asked about the process of learning the severity of the injury as he talked with reporters after the Jacksonville game, which is not customary when a player suffers an injury.
"At that point, you have a lot of adrenaline," he explained. "Adrenaline covers a lot of things in this sport. So at that time, I felt good, and things happened, so it is what it is. I'm ready for this week."
Milton Williams expressed his excitement for getting Gonzalez back out there.
"Y'all know what type of a player he is and the difference he makes on our team," the defensive tackle told Patriots Wire. "So just him being out there, just bringing a little - not that we didn't have it without him - but just bring some swagger back to our defense. Having a locked-down corner like that out there, putting him on anybody, we feel comfortable to be able to do certain things we couldn't do when he wasn't out there."
As did Drake Maye.
"Yeah, Gonzo is one of my favorite players to watch,' the quarterback said. "I love competing against him. We’ve had some battles, and he’s fun to throw at. I think one of the coolest things is to see him go up against other players and that challenge and how smooth he is. I always try to have him give me some extra swag. He doesn’t like my swag, though. But it’s always nice seeing Gonzo back out there"
Other key injury updates
In Sunday's win over the Las Vegas Raiders, the Patriots were dealt some other injury hits, including with two key offensive players: LT Will Campbell and RB TreVeyon Henderson.
There were reports that Campbell avoided a major injury and is said to be "week-to-week," while Henderson is reported to have a high ankle sprain. The starting left tackle told Patriots Wire he planned to "do some things" at practice on Wednesday; however, he was not spotted up there with the others during the media-attended portion.
Vrabel was asked if there is any chance either player ends up on injured reserve.
"If we were to put anybody on IR, that has to be done prior to the game, so that’d have to be done before Saturday by 4 o'clock," he explained. "If we were putting anybody on IR, we probably would wait till then."
What does getting A.J. Brown mean for the offense?
While Vrabel wouldn't provide any answer on what kind of boost Brown provides for the offense, he did speak highly of the veteran wide receiver's maturity.
"Yeah, I think he's stayed engaged," he explained. "I think it's difficult sometimes to stay engaged. I think his routine was really good, his ability to be around guys in the meetings and then also focus on his rehab. He’s just treating everything as a pro, being where he's supposed to be and working hard to get back."
But it was clear Gonzalez's teammates were over the moon to have him back out there.
"I've been wanting to see AJ play all year," Kyle Williams told reporters. "Somebody I grew up watching, so I'm definitely ready to see him put on that jersey and go to work."
"Yeah, I think it’s awesome. It’s always a warm welcome in the huddle to have him back in there. So, looking forward to seeing him progress, and it’s always great seeing him back out there," Drake Maye expressed. "I think you would have to ask him how he felt, but I think it’s good to see him back out there, that’s for sure."
The defense, who has to go up against him in practice, felt the exact same way.
"Huge boost. He's a receiver, one Very talented guy as far as the passing game. Now, obviously, the past couple of weeks, our passing game has played really well, so he's obviously going to add another dynamic to that, and hopefully we'll continue to have a great passing game with AJ in there," Kevin Byard said. "Definitely excited to get him back. I've been talking to him and seeing him in the training room and the locker room, so he's excited to be back. We're all excited."
"Huge. What he brings to this team, everybody knows: the plays he can make, and just add him back to that room," Gonzalez explained. "I've been able to see the receivers. They've been making plays, they've been stepping up, and just to add AJ back into that mix is, it's good for Drake, good for the offense, good for the team. So we're excited for him to start making his way back."
"With him, just his presence on the field, I think it opens up a lot of opportunities for a lot all the other guys," Milton Williams stated. "So, it's going to help out everybody on offense and make it easier to convert and get plays around."
Geno Smith's ball security this season
When it comes to the Jets, the Patriots stressed that it's important not to overlook them. And it starts with one player: Geno Smith.
In his return to New York, the veteran quarterback has had a strong start to the season in not turning the ball over, something that the New England defense wants to change.
"He's done a fantastic job. And so, if you want to try to create turnovers, you're going to have to actually go out and force them," Vrabel said. "He hasn't made many mistakes. He's been really good with the football. He’s been decisive, has been able to create some X plays. [Garrett] Wilson's playing fantastic, whether he's creating separation or if he's contested. Geno trusts him to be able to come down with those catches, big catches on third down, he's had the X plays on first and second down. So, Geno's no stranger to playing quarterback in this league, what's required of him and what the team needs of him. I think that's really important, and he's done a fantastic job at that."
Kevin Byard shared similar sentiments.
"I think a lot of it starts with, obviously, the quarterback. He has not turned the ball over at all. I don't think he threw an interception yet this year," Byard explained. "But I will say, I think personally a lot of it is because he's trying not to turn the ball over. He had like 17 interceptions last year, so he's holding the ball. I think it gives some really good opportunities for our pass rushers to be able to get some forced fumbles, some sacks, and stuff like that."
So, how can they force these turnovers?
"Getting quick pressure on him to where he won't be able to decide if he's going to hold the ball or hold it a certain way. You got to get back there and affect them as much as possible, and that's on our entire front. It's just consistently winning rushes inside on the edges, making it tough on them," Milton Williams said. "I'm confident in our group every single week, and that's our plan. No matter who the quarterback is, get back there and affect them."
Other notes
- Vrabel on Jets DE David Bailey: "He's fast, explosive, instinctive. He can bend, got a really good get off and is able to win at the top and corner. He uses his get off, so just like every week, we'll have to be very conscious of the front. They do a nice job interior-wise. They're big, they're physical. Then on the edges, they can create some havoc. I think when they blitz, they have a really good blitz demeanor, whether it's [Jamien] Sherwood, Demario Davis or [Jarvis] Brownlee. They’ve been able to just create disruption when they blitz."
- Vrabel on keeping Kyle Williams' momentum going: "I mean, it would be hard for me to try to keep anybody's confidence going. I think that that's up to them. I can show them what they do well and try to coach them, but I think Kyle should have confidence. Again, we have to look at separation. Sometimes as receivers, you get inundated with, 'Man, the ball didn't find me.' Well, you keep creating separation, you keep being where you're supposed to be, be ready for your opportunity, and the ball will find you. But it was great to see him be able to make those plays down the field. Hopefully that'll continue to translate."
- Maye on the Jets: "Yeah, I think they’re physical. I think they have tenacity. I think they’ve got, I wouldn’t say a new ferociousness, but you can see the difference on tape from last year. They have some new faces, some new mentality. I think they’re buying into how Coach [Aaron] Glenn wants to play defense, and I think you respect that. You can see that on film. It pops out to you. They do a good job on the back end, mixing it up and also getting on you and grabbing you and playing physical. So, you can see that they’re building something on defense, and it’s really shown this year with how they played."
- Gonzalez on Jets WR Garrett Wilson: "He can play all the spots on offense, and they move him around a lot, and he's extremely athletic. He makes highlight catches all the time, so a ton of respect for who he is, for the player he is, and just excited to see him again for sure."
- Byard on the mic'd up video of him reacting to Drake Maye's throw: "It's the same stuff I was seeing during training camp. I guess it's just seeing it in live action in the games. He's making those beautiful throws down the field. He throws such a pretty ball, honestly. And honestly, it was, those are natural reactions. Just seeing how he's out there dealing on Sunday. I mean, almost threw 400 passing yards."
- Byard highlighted one commonality between the Raiders and the Jets: "The young tight ends from (Kenyon Sadiq), and then also the other guy, Mason Taylor. They're really good tight ends, and I wouldn't say similar, but similar in the way of how they used them from last week when you got Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer, where I think Mason Taylor's more of that intermediate guy, and obviously Kenyon Sadiq can stretch the field."
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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: What I’m hearing at Gillette Stadium: Wednesday word (Week 6)
