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Star receiver AJ Brown might be on the field against the Jets next weekend.
Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel said Monday that “there’s a chance” Brown makes his return for the AFC East divisional contest next Sunday.
New England’s 45-17 win over the Raiders on Sunday was the fourth game Brown has missed since he suffered a high-ankle sprain after being twisted on a tackle in the season-opening loss to the Seahawks.
He was then placed on injured reserve, but is eligible to come off it this week, though Vrabel was non-committal over whether Brown would definitely appear in the home contest with the Jets.
The Patriots initially struggled on offense without Brown, but have seemingly begun turning the ship around during the last two weeks with wins against the Bills and Raiders.
During his appearance on WEEI Monday, Vrabel had a similar sentiment on when Brown might return.
“I hope that he’s going to help us,” Vrabel said. “But that remains to be seen yet when he’ll be back. So, we’ll see how he does today and move from there.”
On Sunday, it was reported that Brown, who was acquired in a blockbuster offseason trade with the Eagles, was in the Patriots’ locker room walking without a limp.
Brown had at least 1,000 yards receiving in six of his first seven seasons in the NFL — split between the Titans and Eagles. Brown had three catches for 26 yards for the Patriots before the injury.
Last week, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported that “the hope is” Brown will return in Week 6. The team has yet to open Brown’s return window, though.
If Brown were to return this week, it would come at a convenient time, as fellow receiver Mack Hollins was placed on injured reserve with a calf strain last week.
Hollins will miss at least three more games before he is eligible to return.