New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown is eligible to come off injured reserve after the team's Week 5 game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.
But will he be ready?
There have been varying reports and opinions regarding Brown's status since suffering a high ankle sprain in the Patriots' season opener against the Seattle Seahawks. It's a tough injury without a linear timetable for recovery. However, one thing has been certain: The Patriots miss their No. 1 wide receiver.
Brown's absence has forced major adjustments by quarterback Drake Maye and the rest of the offense. That might ultimately benefit the team in the long run with Maye developing newfound chemistry with other receiving targets and not simply force-feeding the ball to Brown.
Hit refresh on this page for updates as we follow Brown's eventual return to the football field.
Could Brown return sooner than expected?
02:06 PM ET, October 8 2026, Jordy McElroyA.J. Brown has reportedly been in the locker room in recent days and in good spirits. He has also been moving around without any noticeable limp.
Does that mean he's definitely returning next week? No. But it does hint at the possibility that Brown might be ready to return quicker than the originally expected six-week timeline.
#Patriots WR A.J. Brown spent notable time in the locker room today during media access. No limp, big smile on his face.
— Andrew Callahan (@_AndrewCallahan) October 7, 2026
Brown is eligible to come off IR next week, but the initial reporting around his high ankle sprain suggested a 6+ week recovery. Today marks 4 weeks.
"I think it's safe to say he's improving. He is eligible to come off next week, and it wouldn't stun me if we saw him on the field," NBC Sports Boston's Phil Perry said on Boston Sports Tonight.
This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Latest on Patriots WR A.J. Brown's ankle injury, return status
