Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown was back on the practice field for the second straight day on Thursday, but don’t get your hopes up too fast for Week 6. The dude has been out since the season opener with an ankle injury, missing four straight games, and even after getting some reps in, his status against the Jets is still very much “up in the air.”
Back On The Field, But The Ankle Lingers
After being sidelined for a month, it’s gotta feel good for Brown just to be out there again, right? He said himself he feels “pretty good” after those two days of practice. That’s a huge step forward for anyone battling an ankle injury, especially one that took him out in the first game of the season. Getting a key playmaker like him back even practicing sends a jolt of energy through the squad, no doubt.
Vrabel’s Big Call: Short-Term Gain vs. Long-Term Health
Here’s where it gets real for the Patriots. Brown flat out said it’s “going to be a Coach Vrabel decision” about his readiness. It’s not just about getting him back on the field for one game, it’s about “the long haul, not just for temporarily.” That’s the smart play, even if it’s tough. You don’t want to rush a guy back, especially with an ankle, only to have him re-injure it and be out for even longer. The team’s got to weigh the need for a superstar in Week 6 against protecting their investment for the rest of the season. The Patriots are set to drop their official injury designations for the Jets game on Friday, but they’ve got until Saturday afternoon to make the call and activate Brown.
So, the wait continues for Patriots fans. Will Brown be a game-time decision? Will Vrabel play it safe? Week 6 against the Jets is on the horizon, and everyone’s gonna be glued to those Friday injury reports and the final Saturday afternoon decision.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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