The New England Patriots received an encouraging signal on Monday regarding the status of wide receiver A.J. Brown, their most significant offseason acquisition.
Head coach Mike Vrabel announced Monday morning that the veteran has a chance to return to practice this week as he continues recovering from a high ankle sprain suffered in the season opener.
Brown has been sidelined since New England’s Week 1 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on September 9, when he caught three passes for 26 yards before exiting in the third quarter.
The team placed him on injured reserve shortly afterward, which required him to miss a minimum of four games and set his earliest possible return for the Week 6 matchup against the New York Jets on October 18.
Vrabel’s comments mark a positive development after earlier projections suggested a recovery timeline of roughly six weeks.
Brown has shown visible progress in recent days, including time spent in the locker room wearing cleats and walking without a noticeable limp.
While a return to practice would represent an important step, it would not guarantee an immediate activation to the active roster. The Patriots can open a practice window and monitor how the ankle responds before deciding whether he is ready to suit up against the Jets or needs additional time.
The timing of the update is notable given the offense’s recent form without him. On Sunday, New England routed the Las Vegas Raiders 45-17 at Gillette Stadium, improving to 3-2 on the season with consecutive victories.
Quarterback Drake Maye completed 26 of 34 passes for 374 yards and four touchdowns while adding a rushing score, as the team generated a season-high 536 total yards. DeMario Douglas caught two touchdown passes, Kyle Williams led the receivers with 91 yards and a score, and Efton Chism III contributed five receptions for 57 yards.
The performance demonstrated that the supporting cast can produce explosive output even while Brown and fellow wide receiver Mack Hollins, who is dealing with a calf injury, remain unavailable.
Brown arrived in New England via a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles that cost the Patriots a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round selection.
He entered the season with a proven track record that includes six 1,000-yard campaigns in seven years, three Pro Bowl nods, and three second-team All-Pro selections.
His absence has not derailed the defending AFC champions, who have found rhythm after an uneven start.
A potential return to the practice field this week would give the coaching staff its first extended look at whether Brown can rejoin an offense that has suddenly gained momentum, offering both a short-term boost and a longer-term reinforcement for Drake Maye and the rest of the unit.
