The Patriots were excited to get wide receiver A.J. Brown back in the lineup on Sunday, but Brown showed a lot of rust after missing the last four games with an ankle injury.
Brown was targeted 10 times by quarterback Drake Maye, but finished with three catches and three drops. He also muffed an onside kick after the Jets drew within seven points late in the fourth quarter and was bailed out when tight end Eli Raridon corralled the loose ball to secure a 26-19 win.
"I didn't play good. I don't know, like, my timing was off," Brown said after the game. "I'm much better than what I put on display today. There's no excuses. I'll be better."
Brown called himself "more than capable" of making the plays he failed to make on Sunday and said nothing related to the injury factored into the rough day.
Brown will get a chance to shake off the rocky return quickly because the Patriots face the Bears on Thursday night. The team's need for him to return to form will be even greater if Romeo Doubs is not able to play after hurting his shoulder while catching a touchdown early in Sunday's win.