Patriots Wide Receiver A.J. Brown Misses Practice Again

Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown missed the start of practice on Friday. This marks the second consecutive session he has skipped due to injuries to his ankle and knee. Running back TreVeyon Henderson was also absent from the field. Henderson is dealing with an illness. Friday’s practice serves as the final preparation session before the team faces the Dolphins on Sunday.

Head coach Mike Vrabel listed both players as questionable for Week 8. The Patriots plan to fly to Miami on Saturday at 3 p.m. The team will make a final decision on Brown’s status during that travel window. If he does not join the flight, he will be ruled out for the game.

Brown returned to practice two weeks ago after suffering a high ankle sprain. His return was short-lived. Vrabel stated that Brown was listed as limited with a knee injury on Wednesday. Brown did not finish that practice session. He has not taken the field in practice since that day. ESPN reported that his knee flared up during Wednesday’s workout.

Vrabel addressed questions about whether the team rushed Brown back from his ankle injury. He described the ankle and knee problems as separate issues. The Patriots knew about Brown’s degenerative knee condition before they traded a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick to the Eagles for him in June.

Brown played 76.5 percent of offensive snaps in Week 6 and 90.7 percent in Week 7. Vrabel said the coaching staff wants their best players on the field. He identified Brown as one of those players. The team is focused on securing a win on the road in the division. They will finalize the status of their questionable players tomorrow.

If Brown sits out Sunday, the Patriots will rely on Efton Chism, DeMario Douglas, and Kyle Williams at wide receiver. Romeo Doubs and Mack Hollins remain on injured reserve. The team also has four receivers on the practice squad. Those players are Ryan Miller, Chandler Brayboy, Cameron Dorner, and Kyle Dixon. Wide receivers coach Todd Downing said the group is working hard and studying the game diligently.

Miller has the most experience among the practice squad receivers. He started the season with the Dolphins. He has played 444 career offensive snaps and 421 snaps on special teams. Downing praised Miller for his quick learning of team terminology and route runs on the show team.