Receiver A.J. Brown is expected to play in the New England Patriots' Week 6 matchup with the New York Jets, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Brown, 29, has been sidelined since sustaining a high-ankle sprain in the Patriots' season opener versus the Seattle Seahawks. He left New England's 13-10 loss in the third quarter, catching 3 passes for 26 yards, and was placed on injured reserve the next day.
Going on IR meant that Brown would have to sit out for the next four games. Thus, he was eligible to be activated this week. Brown was a limited participant in all three of the Patriots’ practice sessions for the week and is listed as questionable for Sunday.
AJ Brown appears to be down with an ankle injury pic.twitter.com/jrHAzo5SyZ
— Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) September 10, 2026
Earlier in the week, head coach Mike Vrabel said "there is a chance" that the veteran receiver would be able to return for Week 6.
"Whenever he'll be back, he should help us," Vrabel said on Monday during his weekly appearance on Boston's WEEI. "I hope that he's going to help us, but that remains to be seen yet when he'll be back. So we'll see how he does and move from there."
Brown's pending return looked like a strong possibility when the Patriots placed receiver Mack Hollins on IR prior to Week 5's loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. Before going on IR, Hollins had the most catches among Patriots wide receivers with 15 for 209 yards. Running back Rhamondre Stevenson and tight end Hunter Henry also have 15 receptions for New England (3-2).
The Patriots acquired Brown during the offseason from the Philadelphia Eagles, in exchange for a 2028 first-round pick and 2027 fifth-round selection. Though he had 1,003 receiving yards last season with the Eagles (his lowest total in four seasons), Brown had reportedly grown frustrated with quarterback Jalen Hurts — or the Eagles' offense in general.
That led to Brown being traded before a three-year, $96 million extension kicked in that takes him through the 2029 season.
Brown is in his eighth NFL season, which began with the Tennessee Titans for three years. He was the team's second-round selection (No. 51 overall) out of Ole Miss.
The 6-foot-1 receiver was dealt to the Eagles during the 2022 NFL Draft for first- and fourth-round picks. He subsequently received a four-year, $100 million extension from Philadelphia.
A three-time Pro Bowler and two-time Second Team All-Pro selection, Brown has 527 career receptions for 8,055 yards and 56 touchdowns.