The WR made his long-awaited return in Week 6 against the Jets, but his first game back featured significant rust and missed opportunities. Drake Maye peppered his star receiver with 10 targets, but Brown managed just 3 receptions for 27 yards and was charged with three costly drops, along with a late-game fumbled onside kick recovery that New England fortunately recovered. Despite the rocky performance, having Brown back on the field gave Maye a true top option, and another week of full practice reps should have the duo operating on much better timing today.

Today’s matchup against Chicago carries the potential to turn into a fast-paced, high-scoring shootout. With Caleb Williams and the explosive Bears offense fresh off a 305-yard masterclass performance in Week 6, New England cannot afford a sluggish offensive start. Having a fully healthy A.J. Brown gives Maye the premier perimeter playmaker required to match Chicago point-for-point.

Is AJ Brown active today for Patriots vs Bears?

Yes. A.J. Brown is active today for the Patriots against the Bears. Brown’s 2026 campaign hit an immediate speed bump when he sustained a high-ankle sprain during New England’s season opener against Seattle. High-ankle sprains are notoriously difficult for explosive wideouts due to the pressure placed on pushing off and making sharp lateral cuts.

• Week 1 Injury: Sustained a high-ankle sprain against the Seahawks and was placed on IR.
• 4-Game Absence: Missed games against the Raiders, Dolphins, Bills, and Texans while undergoing rehabilitation.
• Week 6 Return: Activated for the Jets game, recording 3 catches on 10 targets for 27 yards.
• Week 7 Status: Practice participation upgraded to full; completely removed from the final injury report.

While Maye and the Patriots offense leaned on tight ends and rotational targets during Brown’s absence, today’s game plan requires a dominant WR1 presence. Chicago’s defense has shown vulnerabilities against physical, boundary receivers, setting up Brown for a major bounce-back performance.

Eliminating the drop issues that plagued him against the Jets will be critical. If Maye and Brown can re-establish their downfield chemistry early, New England will possess the big-play capability needed to keep pace with the Bears’ high-octane passing attack and secure a crucial Week 7 victory.

Key takeaways

• A.J. Brown is fully healthy and playing today against the Chicago Bears after being removed from the Patriots’ injury report.
• Brown missed four games after suffering a high-ankle sprain in Week 1 against the Seattle Seahawks.
• After struggling with 3 drops on 10 targets in his Week 6 return against the Jets, Brown is primed for a much larger role in a potential shootout against Chicago.

Mike Vrabel has spent the first five weeks of the season navigating obstacles, including injuries. However, signs of good news are slowly beginning to emerge in Foxborough.

According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport via his X account, TreVeyon Henderson and Will Campbell are also likely to play in this divisional matchup. Both players were listed as questionable heading into the game.

AJ Brown has put his injury behind him

A.J. Brown suffered a severe high ankle sprain in Week 1 during his New England Patriots debut against the Seattle Seahawks. The injury occurred in the third quarter after a tackle, forcing him out of the game and leading the team to place him on Injured Reserve (IR).

Fortunately, it didn’t require surgery, but it sidelined him for four straight games. The good news is he just had his 21-day practice window opened and was officially activated off IR ahead of Week 6.

Maye’s options through the air

Although Brown arrived in Foxborough as the team’s WR1, his early-season injury forced Drake Maye to rely on other players to attack opposing defenses through the air.

Key takeaways

• A.J. Brown is expected to return for the New England Patriots against the New York Jets.
• TreVeyon Henderson and Will Campbell are also likely to play in this divisional matchup according to Ian Rapoport.
• A.J. Brown suffered a severe high ankle sprain in Week 1 against the Seattle Seahawks.

Brown returned to practice this week, making strong progress, as he will not be on injured reserve for Week 6. That opens the door for him to suit up on Sunday, which prompted an analogy from Maye regarding the receiver’s return.

“I think you see it in the NBA; it’s probably the closest thing that I can think of,” Maye said earlier this week, per ESPN. “When they start doubling the best player once they get past half court, then they’re just leaving a corner 3 open or leaving a guy open for a dunk. So it’s kind of like playing receiver with a guy like that. We’ve got a lot of guys that have made plays now, so it’s going to be tough on defenses. But I know we’ve got a tough challenge this week, so looking forward to it.”

A.J. Brown activated alongside other roster moves

The team announced Saturday that it activated wide receiver A.J. Brown (ankle) off injured reserve, while also elevating safety Elliott Davison from the practice squad and releasing running back Hassan Haskins.

Brown, the Patriots‘ marquee offseason addition, caught three passes in the regular-season opener before suffering a high ankle sprain early in the third quarter.

Brown—whom the Patriots acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick—was subsequently placed on injured reserve, sidelining him for the next four games.

Brown enters the game carrying a questionable designation after remaining limited throughout practice all week. With the transaction, the Patriots’ 53-man roster is now full. Offensive tackle Marcus Bryant, who returned to practice this week after suffering an ankle injury during the preseason, was not activated. The team has two more weeks to activate him before his NFL season ends.

Key takeaways

• Drake Maye used an NBA comparison to describe A.J. Brown’s playmaking influence.
• A.J. Brown was activated off injured reserve by the New England Patriots on Saturday.
• A questionable designation is carried by A.J. Brown heading into Week 6.

Brown emphasized patience regarding his return from a high ankle sprain in his right foot, while coach Mike Vrabel said there is “a chance” of a return on Sunday, October 18, against the New York Jets. Still, uncertainty looms over his actual availability.

NFL reporter Ian Rapoport joined “The Pat McAfee Show” ahead of the game and provided additional insight into the situation. Brown has been practicing this week, but his playing status remains a major question mark.

“As far as AJ Brown goes, I was told this was about a six-week injury… This is week four, it is awfully fast, so practice this week, I don’t believe he’s been full yet, I’d be surprised if he played, and wasn’t previously a full participant in practice, so we’ll find out more tomorrow… My guess is he’ll be limited and questionable. Now, he wants to play… Makes no sense to rush him out there,” Rapoport said.

Another major absence for the Patriots

Brown suffered his injury in the Patriots’ regular-season opener in Seattle. On Thursday, the receiver said that Vrabel would make the final call on his game status and noted that the team was focused on his long-term health.

The Patriots have also been without star running back TreVeyon Henderson, who suffered the same injury to the same ankle. Rhamondre Stevenson has filled in well in Henderson’s absence. Still, the wide receiver position hasn’t been the same without Brown’s imposing presence as one of the AFC’s most physically dominant wideouts and a premier deep-play threat.

On Tuesday, an MRI revealed that Henderson suffered a high-ankle sprain. Considering the injury usually takes upward of four weeks to heal, Henderson was surprised that he could practice on Wednesday.

If Brown does not play on Sunday, the Patriots will take on the New York Jets with four healthy receivers: Romeo Doubs, Efton Chism III, DeMario Douglas, and Kyle Williams.

Key takeaways

• Mike Vrabel stated there is “a chance” A.J. Brown returns on Sunday, October 18.
• A six-week injury timeline was reported for A.J. Brown by reporter Ian Rapoport.
• An MRI on Tuesday revealed a high-ankle sprain for Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson.

However, per Mike Reiss of ESPN, AJ Brown is sending all the responsibility to head coach Mike Vrabel. “Obviously it’s going to be a Coach Vrabel decision, to see where I’m at and make the better decision for the long haul, not just for temporarily,” Brown said.

Although the Patriots release their injury report for the Jets game on Friday, they have until Saturday afternoon to officially activate AJ Brown from injured reserve. It will remain to be seen what decision is taken but Brown sayd he feels “pretty good.”

AJ Brown’s Pats stint got cut short from the get-go

Brown got injured in the second quarter of the 2026 NFL Kick-off game against the Seahawks. However, before he exited the game, he had three catches in four targets for 26 yards. He got injured in the one target he couldn’t catch.

Brown was signed to become the primary weapon of this team, but he hasn’t even stepped on the field much. After losing four weeks of action, he could come back and face a feisty Jets team.

Is AJ Brown a good fit for the Patriots?

Drake Maye excels on tight-window throws, and Brown ranks near the top of the NFL in catches, first downs, and yards per route run in tight-window situations. Brown should be a true number-one receiver for Maye.

His presence opens up the rest of the playbook for offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and helps balance the offense by drawing attention away from the run game.

Key takeaways

• Wide receiver A.J. Brown feels “pretty good” as the New England Patriots evaluate his activation.
• Head coach Mike Vrabel holds final decision on activating A.J. Brown from injured reserve.
• New England has until Saturday afternoon to activate A.J. Brown against the Jets.

Following honest offseason conversations, AJ Brown expressed a wish to play for another team. General manager Howie Roseman worked to find a deal that worked well for both the franchise and the player. Roseman, given how good of a GM he is, found that trade.

The Eagles received a 2028 first-round draft pick and a 2027 fifth-round draft pick from New England, fulfilling Philadelphia’s goal of securing high-value future assets. Hence, it was a great bit of value for an elite-yet-disgruntled NFL player.

Why was AJ Brown disgruntled?

AJ Brown was unhappy in Philadelphia primarily due to mounting offensive dysfunction, frustration with consistent lack of proper execution, and a growing disconnect with quarterback Jalen Hurts. The chemistry wasn’t there anymore.

Brown openly criticized the Eagles’ offense for relying too heavily on the defense to bail them out rather than consistently performing up to standard. He made his statements public, and that took a toll on the locker room.

The Eagles won the trade in hindsight

With 20/20 vision, the Eagles clearly won this trade. At first, they got everything they asked for from AJ Brown. The wideout played four years (25-29, his prime years in fact) where he helped the team win a Super Bowl and surpassed the 1000-yard treshold.

Now, he is gone, dealing with a high-ankle sprain and on the IR list. The Eagles also had great moves to put DeVonta Smith as WR1, who was already on the roster, signed Dontayvion Wicks and drafed Makai Lemon. Plus, they now have an additional first-round pick and the Pats aren’t looking great so it can be a high one.

Key takeaways

• The Philadelphia Eagles traded wide receiver AJ Brown to the New England Patriots.
• Philadelphia received future draft picks including a 2028 first-round selection from New England.
• The star wideout became disgruntled following offensive dysfunction and disconnect with Jalen Hurts.

Brown suffered the injury in the third quarter of the Patriots’ 13-10 loss to Seattle, ending his first game with New England after the team acquired him during the offseason. He finished the game with three catches for 26 yards before being forced out with the ankle injury.

His absence is a major blow for an offense led by Drake Maye. Brown was expected to give the Patriots a true No. 1 receiver and another major weapon for Maye, but the young quarterback will now have to operate without one of New England’s most important offensive players.

When will A.J. Brown return with Patriots?

A.J. Brown is expected to miss at least four games after the Patriots placed him on injured reserve. That rules him out against the Steelers in Week 2, as well as New England’s next three games against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Buffalo Bills and Las Vegas Raiders.

The earliest Brown can return is Week 6 against the New York Jets, although the latest reporting indicates his high ankle sprain is expected to keep him out for around six weeks. That means the Patriots could potentially be without their star receiver for a significant portion of the early season.

Until Brown returns, the pressure will increase on Maye and the rest of New England’s receiving corps. Players such as Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams, Romeo Doubs and Demario Douglas will have to take on larger roles as the Patriots try to replace the production and impact Brown was expected to provide.

For New England, Brown’s absence creates an immediate challenge at the start of the season. The Patriots will have to find ways to keep the offense productive without their top offseason addition, while Brown works his way back from the ankle injury with a potential Week 6 return now on the calendar.

The move comes just one day after Brown’s Patriots debut was cut short by the ankle injury. The veteran receiver caught three passes for 26 yards before leaving Wednesday’s 13-10 loss to Seattle, leaving Drake Maye and the New England offense without their biggest receiving weapon for the remainder of the game.

Adam Schefter was first to report the Patriots’ decision, providing further clarity on what had already emerged as a significant setback for Mike Vrabel’s team. Brown’s placement on IR means the Patriots cannot simply wait and see whether he is ready from week to week; he will be unavailable for a minimum of four games.

A.J. Brown will miss at least four games for Patriots

Schefter’s update was definitive about the next step for Brown and New England, with the Patriots choosing to place their new WR1 on injured reserve rather than keep him on the active roster while he recovers. “Sources: Patriots are placing wide receiver AJ Brown on injured reserve due to his high ankle sprain, sidelining him for a minimum of four games.”

The decision means Brown will miss New England’s upcoming games against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Buffalo Bills and Las Vegas Raiders. Because an IR stint requires him to miss at least four games, Week 6 against the New York Jets is now the earliest possible opportunity for Brown to return to the field.

That is a significant blow for a Patriots offense that entered the season expecting Brown to be Drake Maye’s premier receiving weapon. New England already moved on from Stefon Diggs during the offseason, and Brown’s sudden absence leaves the team with a much thinner wide receiver group. Romeo Doubs, Mack Hollins and other receivers will now be asked to absorb a much larger workload while Brown begins his recovery.

The timing could hardly be worse for New England. Brown was making his Patriots debut after arriving from Philadelphia and immediately established himself as Drake Maye’s top receiving weapon, catching three passes for 26 yards before leaving the game. He also drew a 34-yard pass interference penalty that helped set up the Patriots’ opening touchdown.

Now, the Patriots must navigate a difficult stretch without their new No. 1 receiver. Ian Rapoport delivered the update, confirming that Brown is facing an extended absence after suffering the high ankle sprain when his right ankle was caught underneath him during the loss to Seattle.

When could A.J. Brown return for the New England Patriots?

Rapoport’s exact update was clear about the initial timeline: “He had an MRI to confirm the initial diagnosis which is a high ankle sprain. A.J. Brown is expected to be out at least four weeks.”

Based on that timetable, Brown is expected to miss at least the Patriots’ next four games against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Buffalo Bills and Las Vegas Raiders. New England’s official schedule has those matchups in Weeks 2 through 5, meaning Week 6 against the New York Jets on October 18 could emerge as a potential target for Brown’s return if his recovery progresses as hoped.

The problem for New England is that Brown’s absence comes after the team already moved on from Stefon Diggs, leaving a significantly thinner wide receiver room at the worst possible time. Romeo Doubs is now positioned to take on a much larger role, while DeMario Douglas, Mack Hollins and Kyle Williams could also see increased opportunities. For an offense that struggled late against Seattle, replacing Brown’s production will be one of Mike Vrabel’s biggest challenges over the next month.

Brown’s injury came early in the third quarter of his Patriots debut. The wide receiver was targeted by Drake Maye on a low pass when Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett’s knee landed on Brown’s right ankle, causing it to twist awkwardly. Brown received medical attention before heading to the locker room for further evaluation.

There was initially plenty of concern surrounding the injury, particularly because Brown had just arrived in New England as one of the team’s biggest offseason additions. However, the Patriots received an encouraging update after the game, with early testing ruling out a fracture and providing at least some relief about the worst-case scenario.

What is A.J. Brown’s latest injury update?

A.J. Brown is believed to have suffered a high-ankle sprain, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport. X-rays were negative for a fracture, which is an important positive development for the Patriots, although the severity of the sprain and Brown’s eventual recovery timeline will not be known until he undergoes an MRI.

“Patriots WR AJ Brown, who left last night’s opener because of an injury, is believed to have suffered a high-ankle sprain. X-Rays were negative for a fracture. Brown has an MRI today to determine how much time he’ll miss.”

The initial news is therefore considerably better than what New England might have feared when Brown was unable to continue against Seattle. He was having an active debut before the injury, recording three receptions for 26 yards and drawing a 34-yard pass interference penalty that helped set up the Patriots’ opening touchdown.

Still, the MRI will be critical for determining whether Brown can return quickly or whether the Patriots will have to prepare to play without their new No. 1 receiver for multiple games. High-ankle sprains can require more recovery time than standard ankle sprains, making the upcoming evaluation particularly important for Mike Vrabel and the Patriots.

Brown was also seen leaving the stadium in a walking boot on his right foot after the game, adding another reason for the Patriots to be cautious with their star receiver.

For New England, the timing could hardly be worse. Brown was brought in to give Maye another elite weapon and help take the Patriots’ offense to another level in 2026. After losing their season opener to Seattle, the Patriots now have to wait for the MRI results before knowing how significant the setback will be. The good news is that there was no fracture, but Brown’s MRI will ultimately determine how much time he could miss.

Brown suffered an ankle injury in a catch attempt against Seattle cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett. Without Brown, the Patriots must look at the rest of their wide receiver room for help against an elite defense. “Brown has now been ruled out for the remainder of tonight’s game.,” the Patriots announced.

With Brown sidelined, the Patriots will be turning to DeMario Douglas, Romeo Doubs, Mack Hollins, and Kyle Williams. Those are all their active options to finish Week 1’s visit to the Seahawks. New England is already missing TreVeyon Henderson for Week 1, so Brown’s setback adds another dramatic layer to an already injury-riddled offense.

A.J. Brown’s numbers in Patriots debut

Needless to say, Brown didn’t have the debut he expected with the Patriots. Until he left the game with an ankle injury, Brown caught only three passes (out of four targets) for 26 yards.

Still, because the Super Bowl LX rematch between the Seahawks and Patriots was quite uneventful, Brown led his team in receiving yards while he was on the gridiron at Lumen Field. His production was nothing to write home about, though. In fact, it raised eyebrows.

For the second straight season, even on a completely different team and in a different system, Brown was practically MIA. Last year, Brown caught only one pass for eight yards in Week 1. These slow starts to the year may be becoming a common theme, and a worrisome one at that.

Brown’s contract

Brown carries a $7.04 million cap hit in the 2026 NFL season. His contract, which runs through 2030, will see its cap hit steadily rise to $10.9 million in 2027, $17.8 million in 2028, $23.6 million in 2029 and $53.5 million in 2030.

Because Brown signed the deal with the Philadelphia Eagles, it’s expected that he and the Patriots will sit down at some point and negotiate a contract restructure. If Brown’s injury turns out to be serious, it could change everything, though.