Who Should I Start? A.J. Brown or George Pickens

Sunday, November 15, 7:22 AM

New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown (hamstring) left Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions in Munich, Germany, in the second half with a hamstring injury and has been ruled out, according to Tom Pelissero of The Ringer. Brown returned in Week 10 after a two-game absence due to a knee injury and caught only two of his six targets for 27 yards before picking up another lower-body injury. Before getting hurt again, Brown was struggling to make noise for his fantasy managers yet after quarterback Drake Maye left early in the first half with an ankle injury and was ruled out. It has been that kind of year for Brown in his first year in New England after the Patriots sent the Philadelphia Eagles a first-rounder for him in a trade in the offseason. The three-time Pro Bowler suffered a high-ankle sprain in the Week 1 loss to the Seattle Seahawks and was placed on Injured Reserve. The good news for Brown is that he will have the bye in Week 11 to rest up before hopefully returning to face the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 12. But at this point, fantasy managers seriously have to wonder whether Brown will actually be healthy again for the rest of the 2026 season. If he misses more time going forward, it will mean more targets and production from DeMario Douglas and Mack Hollins as New England's top receivers.