The New England Patriots are leaving the door wide open for wide receiver A.J. Brown to potentially make his return in Week 10. While head coach Mike Vrabel hasn’t made a final call on Brown’s availability for the game, the plan right now has the veteran receiver traveling with the team to Germany this Wednesday. “I mean I think that that’s the plan,” Vrabel stated, making it clear they are trying to get every healthy body on that plane to help them win. It’s a big gamble, considering the season Brown has had so far.
The Long Road to Munich: Injury Woes and Vrabel’s Hopes
This isn’t just a short hop across the country. The Patriots are hitting Foxboro for practice on Wednesday before their evening departure for Germany. Once they land in Munich, they’ve got a walkthrough scheduled for Thursday, with a full practice gearing up for Friday. Vrabel’s cautious optimism hints at the desperation here. He’s trying to get “guys back that can get back and be healthy and help the football team,” but he can’t confirm Brown’s game status just yet. You have to wonder what kind of shape Brown will be in after all this travel and limited practice.
Brown’s potential return would be a massive shot in the arm for a Patriots offense that has struggled to keep its receiving corps intact. Remember when they landed him from the Eagles back in June for a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round selection? Felt like a huge move, but it hasn’t paid off much this season. The guy has only seen action in three of New England’s nine games. He got hit with a high ankle sprain in Week 1, sat out, then came back for Weeks 6 and 7. But then, a nagging knee injury flared up before Week 8, forcing him to miss the last two games. It’s been a tough run for Brown and the Patriots’ receiving room.
The Numbers Don’t Lie: A.J. Brown’s Limited Impact and a Thin Receiving Corps
Through those three appearances, Brown’s stats are pretty grim: just nine receptions on 20 targets for 101 yards, and a big fat zero touchdowns. Yikes. Those are not the numbers you expect from a player acquired for such a hefty price tag. The Patriots offense is clearly missing something, and it’s not hard to see why they’re pushing to get Brown on that plane.
Without Brown, the Patriots’ wide receiver depth chart features DeMario Douglas, Efton Chism III, Kyle Williams, and Mack Hollins, who just returned from injured reserve himself this past week. That’s a group that needs all the help it can get, and Brown, even if he’s not 100%, represents a potential spark. Will he be the difference maker they need, or is this just another injury waiting to happen?
The Patriots are slated to face off against the Detroit Lions in Germany this Sunday, with kickoff at 9:30 a.m. ET. After that international showdown, New England gets a much-needed bye week. They’re hoping Brown’s trip to Germany isn’t just a sightseeing tour, but a turning point for their season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pats Pulpit.
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