Patriots Activate A.J. Brown From IR Ahead of Jets Game — SkimNews
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- A.J. Brown was activated from injured reserve Saturday after missing the previous four games with a right high ankle sprain, filling an open spot on the Patriots' 53-man roster.
- Brown sustained the injury early in the third quarter of the Patriots' season opener Sept. 9 and returned to practice for the first time Wednesday, though he was limited throughout the week.
- Brown said coach Mike Vrabel would ultimately decide when he plays and signaled caution, saying the call would consider the "long haul, not just for temporarily," suggesting a gradual workload ramp-up.
- Drake Maye compared Brown's impact to the NBA, saying when defenses double a top player "they're just leaving a corner 3 open," framing Brown as the matchup problem that frees up teammates.
- The Patriots are 3-2 heading into Sunday's Jets matchup; their other wide receivers on the roster are Romeo Doubs, Pop Douglas, Efton Chism III, and Kyle Williams.
- New York visits as a 2-3 team, and New England then plays the Chicago Bears on Thursday, giving Brown a short window to reintegrate before a quick turnaround.
Why it matters: Brown's return restores a premium pass-catcher to a Patriots offense that has already gone 3-2 without him, and Maye's quote telegraphs how the team plans to weaponize him — as the focal point that creates easier looks for everyone else. The "long haul" caveat from Brown himself, combined with a limited week of practice, means Sunday likely shows a managed snap count rather than a full workload, with the Bears game Thursday shaping how aggressively Vrabel pushes him back.
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