New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown practiced for the first time since going on injured reserve on Wednesday, while cornerback Christian Gonzalez also returned to the field after missing two games with a shoulder injury. Neither player has a confirmed status for Sunday’s game against the New York Jets, though both took part in the Patriots’ Wednesday session.
Brown was a limited participant as he works his way back from a high ankle sprain suffered in the season-opening 13-10 loss at Seattle on Sept. 9, according to CBS Sports. Gonzalez took the field after sitting out the last two games with a shoulder issue, per the Houston Chronicle. The team had already designated Brown for return from IR earlier in the week and opened Marcus Bryant’s 21-day practice window as well, according to NBC Sports.
Brown’s ankle was wrapped heavily with tape during the media-open portion of practice, though he was seen smiling and working through light drills. Coach Mike Vrabel credited Brown’s approach during the layoff. “I think he’s stayed engaged.
I think it’s difficult sometimes to stay engaged. I think his routine was really good, his ability to be around guys in the meetings and then also focus on rehab. He’s just treating everything as a pro, being where he’s supposed to be and working hard to get back,” Vrabel said.
Who Has Filled In
New England has managed without its top two receivers for stretches this season. The Patriots placed Mack Hollins on injured reserve with a calf injury last week, adding to the absence created when Brown went down in Week 1. With Brown out, the rest of the receiving corps combined for six touchdown catches as the Patriots went 3-1 during that stretch.
Quarterback Drake Maye has kept the passing game productive without Brown, throwing for a season-high 374 yards and four touchdowns last week against the Las Vegas Raiders. Maye said Brown’s potential return would add another dimension to an offense already clicking. “Huge boost.
He’s a receiver (No. 1). Very talented guy as far as the pass game,” safety Kevin Byard said. “Obviously, the last couple of weeks our pass game has been playing really well.
So, he’s obviously just going to add another dynamic to that. And hopefully we’ll continue have a good passing game with A.J. in there.”
Safety Kevin Byard said Brown’s presence alone has lifted the team. Maye also noted how closely Brown tracked the Patriots’ games while sidelined. Quarterback Drake Maye said Brown’s potential return would add another dimension to an offense already clicking.
“It’s a warm welcome in the huddle to have him back in there,” Maye said. “You can see how closely he’s been watching the games. Little things he picks up on, you can tell he really watching and really cares. …
There’s not many like him that are around here in this league.”
Season Context
Brown had three catches for 26 yards before exiting the Week 1 loss, injured when Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett’s knee made contact with his ankle as Brown fell to the turf on an incomplete pass. He has missed four games total since landing on injured reserve. Gonzalez, whose absence was detailed in a previous Patriots injury report, had been out since the shoulder injury sidelined him for the last two games.
What’s Next
The Patriots host the Jets on Sunday, and Brown’s path to activation runs through his practice participation this week. CBS Sports and Yahoo Sports both listed him as limited Wednesday, The team will evaluate his participation Thursday and Friday before deciding on his availability for Sunday. New England’s next update on both Brown and Gonzalez is expected to come with Thursday or Friday’s practice report ahead of the Jets game.
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