FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Drake Maye may soon have his biggest receiving threat back. Whether that happens against the Jets remains a decision for another day.
A.J. Brown returned to Patriots practice Wednesday, October 14, opening a 21-day window for New England to activate him from injured reserve. The receiver was a limited participant after missing four games with a high ankle sprain suffered in the season opener. Returning to drills was a step toward playing, not confirmation that he will suit up Sunday.
Coach Mike Vrabel said the Patriots would judge Brown by how he handled the next few days. In remarks reported by The Boston Globe, Vrabel said the receiver had maintained a strong routine while balancing rehabilitation with team meetings.
The timing matters because the passing game Brown would rejoin is not standing still. Maye threw for 374 yards and four touchdowns against Las Vegas in his most recent outing, and New England went 3-1 during Brown’s absence, according to Associated Press coverage carried by FOX Sports. Brown’s return would add to a group that has found production without him, rather than simply restore the only route to moving the ball.
There is also a fresh vacancy to fill. Mack Hollins is on injured reserve with a calf injury, removing one of the receivers who helped carry the workload while Brown recovered. Romeo Doubs, DeMario Douglas, Kyle Williams and Efton Chism have contributed, alongside the tight ends and running backs.
Maye’s explanation of Brown’s value went beyond the passes he might catch. In his official team interview, the quarterback described how extra defensive attention on one receiver can leave space elsewhere, comparing the effect to a basketball defense doubling a star and conceding an open shot or dunk.
That is the opportunity for the other targets: Brown need not receive every important throw to change the choices available to Maye. The quarterback also stressed continuing to find open receivers rather than treating the returning player as the answer to every coverage.
Maye said, “It’s a warm welcome in the huddle to have him back in there.” He praised Brown’s attention to detail while watching games and his continued involvement with the team during his recovery.
The roster decision remains separate from that enthusiasm. Brown still needs to be activated to the 53-man roster before he can play. The home game against the Jets offers the first opportunity; a Thursday visit to Chicago follows. Vrabel said the short turnaround would not dictate the decision, The Globe reported.
New England is assessing more than its receiver room. Christian Gonzalez returned to practice after missing two games with a shoulder injury, while offensive lineman Marcus Bryant also began his return window. Will Campbell and TreVeyon Henderson were limited Wednesday after leaving the previous game with knee and ankle injuries respectively, according to The Globe.
Brown’s presence does not resolve those concerns, and a limited practice cannot establish how his ankle will respond to a full game. For now, the Patriots have regained the chance to evaluate their receiver on the field. A decision on Sunday must follow that evaluation, not precede it.
