A.J. Brown, the New England Patriots wide receiver, finally hit the practice field Wednesday for the first time since he got sidelined with a high ankle sprain back in Week 1, which, let’s not forget, was right here at Lumen Field against our very own Seahawks. While he’s back out there, his status for Sunday’s game remains a huge question mark. As Brown put it Thursday, “It’s still up in the air.” He knows it’s ultimately “a Coach Vrabel decision to see where I’m at and make the better decision for the long haul, not just temporarily.” This isn’t just about one game for the Pats; it’s about the bigger picture for their star receiver.
“Fresh Juice” in Practice, But What About Game Day?
Brown’s return to practice started the clock ticking on a 21-day window for the Patriots to activate him from injured reserve, and you can bet the whole team felt it. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels was quick to point out the “fresh juice” Brown’s presence brought to the entire offense. Even though he was limited in his first practice, Brown felt good about being back. “I felt pretty good,” he said, talking about taking things “one step at a time” and trying to “increase my load” daily. He was just thrilled to be “back on the grass practicing,” admitting that “working on the side is a little boring.” Sounds like a player itching to get back into the thick of it, right?
Pads On, Pressure Up: The Short Week Dilemma
The real test came on Thursday when Brown participated in the Patriots’ fully padded practice, a critical step in his return process. Brown understood the significance, saying his focus was “going out here today, just trying to get better, and then just see how I feel afterward,” especially because “today we’re in pads, and that’s a lot more moving.” It’s a whole different ballgame when guys are actually trying to touch you. To make matters even more complicated for New England, they’ve got a quick turnaround after Sunday’s game against the New York Jets, heading straight to Chicago for Thursday Night Football. That short week could absolutely play a role in whether Coach Vrabel decides to unleash Brown or keep him sidelined.
Even with the uncertainty, the team is getting ready for anything. McDaniels confirmed they’ve “already talked about” how they’d play the game if Brown doesn’t make it, praising his guys for their versatility. “Chis, Kyle, Romeo, Pop, Eli, Hunter,” McDaniels rattled off, “They all know multiple positions, and that’s a great strength of our group.” It shows they’re prepping for battle regardless. For us fans, we’ll be watching closely to see if Brown can push through the final hurdle, or if the Patriots will play it safe with their Week 1 injury victim.
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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