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A.J. Brown injury update: Patriots opening up WR's practice window with return imminent

The New England Patriots’ offense gains a key piece as wide receiver A.J. Brown is set to return to practice this week after suffering a high ankle sprain in the team’s season-opening loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

Brown, who was placed on injured reserve following that Week 1 defeat, will begin rehab drills on Wednesday, signaling progress in his recovery timeline. With the earliest possible activation from IR in Week 6, his return to action now appears on track, though the team remains cautious about his readiness for game play.

Head coach Mike Vrabel emphasized Brown’s disciplined approach to rehab, noting his professionalism in staying engaged with the team despite missing four weeks of practice. The Patriots now have a 21-day window to activate Brown from injured reserve before he reverts back to that status for the remainder of the season.

With a tight schedule ahead—including a Thursday Night Football matchup against the Chicago Bears in Week 7—the team may opt to manage Brown’s return carefully, though his presence on the field is widely expected soon.

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