A.J. Brown’s return to the field last Sunday did not go as planned.
Despite seeing a game-high 10 targets, the star wide receiver hauled in only three for 27 yards while struggling with a handful of drops. Quarterback Drake Maye, however, is not concerned about his top wide receiver moving forward.
“It’s A.J. Brown,” said Maye. “Last week is what it is. I wish I had some throws back and attempts I targeted his way, and I think it’s part of this league. You want to make a play so bad, you want to have plays back, and there are plays that I want back every week, and that’s part of it. It’s a short week, so we’ve got to get focused on Chicago.”
The short week gives Brown an opportunity to quickly flush his performance against the Jets and turn his attention to the Bears. That has been his approach.
“I just didn’t make the play. I’m not really going backwards because it’s over with now,” Brown said Tuesday. “I watched the film. I put it to bed, and I’m looking forward.”
Brown played 52 snaps in his return and said his ankle was “feeling good.” He left Sunday’s game dealing with the usual bumps and bruises everywhere else, but his ankle was not an issue.
The Patriots will need the three-time Pro Bowler to handle another significant workload Thursday night after placing fellow wide receiver Romeo Doubs on injured reserve this week. That leaves just Brown, DeMario Douglas, Efton Chism III and Kyle Williams as New England’s receivers on the active roster.
New England will also need better production on the field from Brown while he continues to build chemistry with Maye.
“We’re always trying to evolve,” Brown said. “Not just with him, but just with all the pass catchers and all of us trying to continue to grow in that area, and just go out here and make plays. It’s nothing to overthink. You throw it and catch it, you make the play. Simple as that. I’m gonna keep it very simple because it is, you know? And that’s how I approach the game, and you just gotta keep it pushing.”