A.J. Brown
Wide Receiver #11
A.J. Brown News
Patriots Hope A.J. Brown Will Return in Week 6
The New England Patriots "hope" that wide receiver A.J. Brown (ankle) will be able to return from injured reserve after the minimum four weeks, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. If that happens, his first game back would be Week 6 against the New York Jets on Oct. 18. However, Garafolo cautions that the entire situation remains fluid, and given that Brown originally had a six-week recovery timeline after he exited the season opener, it's too early to guarantee that he'll be on the field in Week 6. New England won't rush the star receiver back, but they'd certainly love to get him on the field as soon as he's healthy. The Patriots' offense has looked abysmal for most of this season, and Brown would inject some much-needed physicality and playmaking upside into a unit that has just one passing touchdown through three games this season. Romeo Doubs and Mack Hollins have been operating as Drake Maye's top targets with Brown sidelined.
Oct 4, 2026 7:02 AM EST
A.J. Brown Walking Around Without a Limp
New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown (ankle) walked through the team's locker room without a limp on Monday, according to Taylor Kyles of Patriots CLNS. Brown was wearing cleats with a small ankle wrap. The Pro Bowl wideout was placed on Injured Reserve on Sept. 12 after suffering a dreaded high-ankle sprain in the season-opening loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Brown will not be officially allowed to resume practicing with the Patriots again until Week 6, but he is apparently making excellent progress and could be ready to be activated from IR as soon as he is eligible. Receivers Romeo Doubs, Mack Hollins, and DeMario Douglas have been on the field more in the last two weeks with Brown sidelined, but New England's aerial attack has really struggled under quarterback Drake Maye. The Patriots, who are now 1-2 through three weeks, cannot get Brown back soon enough. The 29-year-old three-time Pro Bowler caught three of four targets for 26 yards in Week 1 before injuring his ankle. Brown should be stashed in an IR spot in all fantasy football leagues.
Sep 28, 2026 10:21 AM EST
A.J. Brown Could Miss 6-8 Weeks
ESPN's Adam Schefter said on WEEI on Thursday that New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown (ankle) could miss anywhere from six to eight weeks with the high-ankle sprain that he suffered in the season-opening loss to the Seattle Seahawks. With that said, Schefter reports that Brown has been moving around well and could be a candidate to return on the early side of the six- to eight-week timetable. The Patriots placed Brown on Injured Reserve, so he will be forced to miss at least four games. Fantasy managers should not be expecting Brown to return immediately when he is eligible to return, based on this report from Schefter. Quarterback Drake Maye failed to throw a touchdown pass in the Week 2 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, with receiver Romeo Doubs benefiting the most from Brown's absence with three catches for 96 yards. Tight end Hunter Henry will also continue to be more intriguing as a TE streamer in fantasy as long as Brown is out, with veteran receiver Mack Hollins also worth rostering for bench depth going forward.
Sep 24, 2026 8:43 AM EST
A.J. Brown Won't Require Ankle Surgery
New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown (ankle) is expected to miss the next four to six weeks, but he won't require surgery on his ankle, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. Brown suffered the injury during Wednesday's season opener against the Seattle Seahawks. He was diagnosed with a high ankle sprain, and the current timeline for recovery suggests that he may end up on injured reserve. However, it's encouraging that he won't need surgery. New England only got three catches for 26 yards from its flashy offseason addition before he exited Week 1. Once he returns to action, he'll rank as a low-end WR1 in fantasy football while serving as quarterback Drake Maye's favorite target. In the meantime, Romeo Doubs, Kyle Williams, and DeMario Douglas will take on bigger roles in the passing game.
Sep 13, 2026 8:45 AM EST
A.J. Brown Has High-Ankle Sprain, To Miss Six Weeks
New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown (ankle) has been placed on Injured Reserve and will miss six weeks with a high-ankle sprain, according to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport. The big off-season signing for the Patriots will miss the high end of the four- to six-week timeline normally associated with a high ankle sprain. It's a big injury for New England to deal with early on in the season. Brown had 78 catches on 121 targets last season with the Eagles for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns. He was looking for a breakout year with New England, but it will have to get started a little bit later than anticipated. Fantasy managers will want to hold on to Brown as he sits out his six games. He could still have a big year for the Patriots but will have to recover from the high ankle sprain before he gets underway.
Sep 13, 2026 6:34 AM EST
Patriots Placing A.J. Brown on Injured Reserve
The New England Patriots are placing wide receiver A.J. Brown (ankle) on Injured Reserve on Friday due to the high-ankle sprain that he suffered in Wednesday's season-opening loss to the Seattle Seahawks, which will sideline him for a minimum of four games, sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN. The NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported on Thursday that Brown is expected to miss at least four weeks because of his ankle injury, so it makes sense that the Pats would put him on IR to open up a roster spot while he recovers. It is an ominous sign for the start of the 29-year-old's tenure in New England after the Pats sent a first-rounder to the Philadelphia Eagles for him in the offseason. The former second-rounder caught three of his four targets for 26 yards on Wednesday in Seattle before spraining his ankle. Fantasy managers must stash Brown in an IR spot for now and hope that he can hit the ground running and renew his connection with quarterback Drake Maye when he returns. In the meantime, Romeo Doubs, DeMario Douglas, Mack Hollins, and Kyle Williams will all be asked to step up in the passing game, as well as tight ends Hunter Henry and Eli Raridon.
Sep 11, 2026 8:52 AM EST
A.J. Brown to Miss at Least Four Weeks
New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown (ankle) suffered a high-ankle sprain in Wednesday night's season-opening loss to the Seattle Seahawks and is expected to miss at least four weeks, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. High-ankle sprains typically keep players out anywhere from four to six weeks, so fantasy managers will need to be patient with the 29-year-old wideout after he caught just three of his four targets for 26 yards in Week 1 before leaving with his ankle sprain in his Patriots debut. It is not how Brown or his fantasy managers wanted him to get started back in the AFC this year, but he should be stashed in all leagues while he heals up. In the meantime, Romeo Doubs, DeMario Douglas, Mack Hollins, and Kyle Williams will all be asked to step up to help quarterback Drake Maye out after his frustrating three-interception season opener on Wednesday night. Doubs, who is already rostered in 56% of Yahoo leagues, probably has the most fantasy upside of the bunch, even though he failed to haul in any of his three targets on Wednesday in his team debut.
Sep 10, 2026 3:32 PM EST
A.J. Brown Diagnosed with a High Ankle Sprain
New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown (ankle) had a quiet debut with three catches for 26 yards on Wednesday night, before he was forced to leave with an injury. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo, Brown is believed to have suffered a high-ankle sprain, which is an injury that usually requires multiple weeks to recover from. While X-Rays were negative for a fracture, the star receiver will have an MRI on Thursday to give the team a better timetable of how much time he'll miss. While Brown is out, Romeo Doubs will need to step up as he looks to rebound from his own disappointing debut. Kyle Williams, Mack Hollins, and DeMario Douglas will also likely get more playing time and targets, giving them the potential to pick up more work and fantasy value for as long as Brown is out.
Sep 10, 2026 6:04 AM EST
A.J. Brown Seen Wearing Walking Boot on Right Foot
According to Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald, New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown (ankle) was seen leaving the locker room wearing a boot around his right foot. Brown exited his team's debut win in the third quarter with an apparent ankle injury. Prior to the exit, the star wideout had a quiet effort, catching only three of his four targets for a mere 26 yards. After the contest, Patriots wide receiver Romeo Doubs said the team has "got to have a plan moving forward" when discussing Brown's potential absence. Although head coach Mike Vrabel did not provide a concrete update after the contest, managers should watch his status, as he will likely undergo several tests over the next few days. If he were to miss an extended period of time, managers should expect Romeo Doubs, Kyle Williams, and Mack Hollins to see an uptick in targets and snaps.
Sep 10, 2026 4:12 AM EST
A.J. Brown Ruled Out for Remainder of Week 1 with Ankle Injury
According to Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald, New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown (ankle) has been ruled out for the remainder of Wednesday's contest. Brown exited the game in the third quarter due to an ankle injury. After suffering the injury, the star wideout was seen limping off the field. Prior to exiting, Brown brought in three of his four targets for 26 yards. For the remainder of the game, managers should expect Romeo Doubs, DeMario Douglas, and Kyle Williams to lead the passing game. Managers should pay close attention to his status leading up to their Week 2 tilt against the Steelers.
Sep 9, 2026 6:44 PM EST
A.J. Brown Questionable to Return with Ankle Injury
According to Ben Volin of the Boston Globe, New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown (ankle) is questionable to return with an ankle injury on Wednesday night. In the third quarter, Brown was seen holding his ankle after attempting to catch a pass. Shortly after, the star wideout was seen limping off the field and spent time in the medical tent. Before exiting, Brown caught three of four targets for 26 yards in his Patriots debut. While he remains out, managers should expect Romeo Doubs to slide into the No. 1 pass-catching role and second-year wideout Kyle Williams to see an uptick in snaps.
Sep 9, 2026 6:10 PM EST
A.J. Brown a Potential Difference Maker for Patriots in Week 1
New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown might not take very long to prove that his acquisition was absolutely worth it. The Patriots acquired him from the Eagles for a first-round pick and a seventh-round pick this offseason, and he projects to be exactly what New England needed to overcome last year's Super Bowl loss. Brown has familiarity with getting peppered with targets on a Mike Vrabel-led team, and he also fetched 8.4 targets per game during his four years in Philadelphia. Brown's exact fantasy outlook is somewhat dependent on how the first game goes on Wednesday night, but we'd expect the star receiver to pick up right where he left off in Pittsburgh. Last year, he caught 78 passes for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns across 15 games. He has four consecutive seasons with at least seven touchdowns, and beyond just the goal line, we know that he's capable of making an impact anywhere on the field. Brown gets a tough matchup against newly paid cornerback Devon Witherspoon this week, but he's still worth rolling out as a locked-and-loaded WR1 in fantasy football.
Sep 8, 2026 9:40 PM EST
A.J. Brown Primed for Resurgent Season as Focal Point of Passing Game
Entering his first season with the team in 2026, New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown looks like the clear focal point of his team's passing game. Even in a tumultuous 2025 season with the Philadelphia Eagles, in which he publicly agitated for more targets and a larger role, Brown recorded 78 catches for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns across 15 games. With the Patriots, Brown should be rejuvenated and could have a chance to get back to his peak form, when he recorded 2,952 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns across two seasons with the Eagles in 2022 and 2023. Brown's profile carries some risk for fantasy managers, as he's entering his age-29 season and has missed six games over the past two years due to knee and hamstring injuries. Still, Brown is in a strong position in New England to recapture his top-12 fantasy WR status.
Sep 4, 2026 12:58 PM EST
A.J. Brown's WR1 Ceiling Is Back in Play
New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown has looked comfortable in his new offense from the start. Brown still caught 78 passes for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games with Philadelphia last season, but his move to New England gave him a chance to pair with Drake Maye after a frustrating year in the Eagles' passing game. That connection showed up throughout camp. Brown beat Christian Gonzalez on a double move for a long touchdown on July 31, then got behind the defense again for another would-be score on Aug. 17. Two days later, he was one of New England's standouts during a joint practice with Philadelphia as Maye kept finding him downfield. The Patriots rested Brown in all three preseason games, so there was no reason to risk the new No. 1 receiver in exhibition action. RotoBaller has him at WR9 in its latest half-PPR rankings. Brown was already a proven fantasy option, but a strong first summer with Maye has pushed his WR1 ceiling back into focus.
Sep 3, 2026 7:29 AM EST
A.J. Brown Not Suiting Up Thursday Against the Browns
According to Evan Lazar, senior reporter for the Patriots, star wide receiver A.J. Brown will not be playing Thursday night in the Patriots' final preseason game against the Cleveland Browns. Brown is one of 37 Patriots not in uniform tonight, which indicates the team will be resting a majority of its key starters. Brown did not record any preseason stats in any of the three Patriots preseason games, but reports from camp have suggested good chemistry with third-year quarterback Drake Maye. Brown enters his eighth NFL season at 29 years old and his first season with the Patriots, where he should be the clear alpha in the wide receiver room. Brown has recorded north of 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first seven seasons and has scored seven-plus touchdowns in seven of his eight seasons. He projects to be a WR1 for fantasy managers and is one of the trendiest names in fantasy football entering the 2026 season.
Aug 27, 2026 5:25 PM EST
A.J. Brown Dominates Eagles
New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown had his best practice of camp Wednesday, catching all seven of his targets against his former Philadelphia Eagles teammates, according to Mark Daniels. Brown got going early with a slant against Riq Woolen, then kept finding openings throughout the two-hour joint session. He also beat Quinyon Mitchell during 11-on-11 work and came down with a 30-yard grab over Woolen with Drake Maye under pressure. Seven looks, seven catches. That was his busiest day since arriving in New England. Brown said afterward that he is now 100% comfortable in the Patriots offense after putting himself at about 90% earlier in camp. He caught 78 passes for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games for Philadelphia last season before New England traded for him in June. The Patriots brought Brown in to give Maye a proven top target. He looked every bit like one against his old team Wednesday.
Aug 19, 2026 11:14 AM EST
A.J. Brown Has Been "Nearly Unstoppable" at Patriots Practice
The New England Patriots sent a first and fifth-round pick to acquire three-time Pro Bowler A.J. Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles in early May, and as he continues to acclimate to his new surroundings, he has gotten better and better throughout the summer, impressing team reporter Paul Perillo with the suddenness of his routes. During Saturday's practice, he separated quickly during goal-line work for what looked to be an easy score, and Perillo noted that he has "been nearly unstoppable running slants from various positions on the field." With free agent acquisition Romeo Doubs also coming on of late, expectations continue to rise for the Patriots' passing offense, but as the regular season edges closer, there's been little doubt about who Drake Maye's go-to receiver will be in 2026, and Brown is RotoBaller's WR9.
Aug 16, 2026 5:12 AM EST
A.J. Brown a Top Target at Joint Practice
New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown was a top target during the team's joint practice with the Indianapolis Colts. Brown remained the top option in team drills, finding the ball early and often, and led the team with five receptions, including one that would've been a touchdown. The former Tennessee Titans and Philadelphia Eagles wideout was traded to the AFC Champions in early June and initially struggled to connect with quarterback Drake Maye. Now, both appear to be on the same page, and Brown looks poised for a massive year in New England. The seven-year wideout has had six 1,000-yard seasons and might have his best quarterback yet in Maye, while Maye has yet to play with a talent like Brown. This connection could break fantasy in 2026, and fantasy managers should look to buy into this duo.
Aug 12, 2026 7:42 PM EST
A.J. Brown Keeps Practicing After Dislocating Thumb
New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown (thumb) stayed on the field after dislocating his left thumb during Monday's practice, according to Doug Kyed. The injury happened during a one-on-one rep against Christian Gonzalez. Brown put the thumb back in place, was checked by the medical staff, and returned with a brace. He remained a full participant and finished with four catches, including three during 11-on-11 work. Brown joined New England in a June trade after catching 78 passes for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games for Philadelphia last season. His ability to finish practice is reassuring, but the injury still bears watching because it could affect his comfort catching the ball over the next few days. For now, there is no indication that Brown is facing an extended absence, and his fantasy outlook remains unchanged unless the thumb becomes more troublesome.
Aug 3, 2026 10:15 AM EST
A.J. Brown Shows More Chemistry With New QB on Thursday
New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown and quarterback Drake Maye struggled to get their connection going in the early days of training camp, with Maye going 4-for-9 with an interception when targeting Brown. However, in a padded practice on Thursday, the two started to turn things around, with Maye matching that production and hitting Brown four of five times, according to Mark Daniels of MassLive.com. One of Brown's catches came against star cornerback Christian Gonzalez, with another one coming against Charles Woods for a touchdown. Thursday's practice could be a sign of things to come for Brown and Maye as they begin to build their chemistry for the 2026 regular season. The Patriots suddenly have a pretty crowded WR room with Romeo Doubbs, Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins, DeMario Douglas, Kyle Williams, and Efton Chism, but after the Pats sent the Philadelphia Eagles a first-rounder, Brown should be the unquestioned alpha WR1 in New England. Brown showed signs of decline in 2025 in Philly's stagnant offense, averaging a career-low 12.9 yards per catch, but he also had his sixth 1,000-yard campaign. In what should be a more explosive Patriots' passing game, Brown should be considered a low-end WR1, at worst.
Jul 30, 2026 11:17 AM EST
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