The New England Patriots have activated A.J. Brown from injured reserve ahead of the upcoming clash with the New York Jets, giving Drake Maye a potential boost as the quarterback looks to build on his recent performances.
Brown has missed the last four games after suffering a high ankle sprain in his Patriots debut against the Seattle Seahawks. Although his activation opens the door for a return, the wide receiver remains questionable for the Jets game.
New England have won three of their last four games without Brown and enter Week 6 with a 3-2 record. His return could give Maye another proven target as the Patriots look to keep their momentum going.
Drake Maye could reunite with A.J. Brown against the New York Jets
Brown was limited in practice during the week as he continues his recovery. NFL insiders Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport reported that he could feature against the Jets, but the final decision rests with head coach Mike Vrabel.
Speaking about Brown’s return to practice, Maye made it clear that he was looking forward to having the veteran receiver back on the field.
“You know what he can add,” Maye said. “He’s been a player in this league. It’s not like we haven’t seen him as a player in this league, and there aren’t many like him that roam around in this league.”
The quarterback also compared the impact of Brown’s return to the way basketball defences react to a star player, explaining how the receiver could create opportunities for his teammates.
“We’ve got a lot of guys that have made plays now, so it’s going to be tough on defenses,” Maye added. “But I know we’ve got a tough challenge this week, so looking forward to it.”
Brown, meanwhile, has stressed that his recovery will take time. He said Vrabel would have to assess his condition before deciding whether he was ready to return, with the coach needing to make “the better decision for the long haul”.
The 29-year-old has recorded three receptions for 26 yards this season, all coming in the opening game before his injury. His arrival from the Philadelphia Eagles was expected to give Maye an experienced target, but their partnership has barely had a chance to develop.
New England will now assess Brown’s fitness before their meeting with the Jets. His activation is an encouraging step, but the Patriots must decide whether he is ready to return or whether more recovery time would be the wiser option.
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