New England Patriots wide receiver A. J. Brown is listed as questionable for Sunday's road game against the Miami Dolphins after missing the past two practices.
Coach Mike Vrabel confirmed Brown suffered a knee issue flare-up this week, in addition to a right high ankle sprain sustained in the season opener that landed him on injured reserve. Brown was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, and his injury designation was updated to include the knee problem. "Just wasn't able to finish practice on Wednesday, so we continue to treat him and we'll see where he is tomorrow," Vrabel said. Prior to that practice, Brown acknowledged he was still managing the ankle injury and didn't have his trademark explosiveness on an every-play basis.
But Brown made it clear he wasn't making excuses, adding, "None of that stuff matters. I'm out here, so I'm going." The Patriots had Brown going as if he had never been sidelined due to the ankle injury sustained in the season opener. In his first action since being designated to return from IR on Oct. 14, Brown played 102 out of a possible 122 snaps in a win over the New York Jets on Oct. 18 and a loss to the Chicago Bears on Oct. 22.
He admitted the stretch of two games in five days was "a lot for anyone" and appreciated "the couple [extra] days [off] on the back end." He had expressed hope Wednesday he would have a full week of practice and "try to put my best foot forward on Sunday [in Miami]." Then came the knee flare-up, which leaves the Patriots thin at receiver with De Mario "Pop" Douglas, Kyle Williams and Efton Chism III the only healthy receivers on the 53-man roster. Receivers Ryan Miller, Kyle Dixon, Chandler Brayboy and Cameron Dorner are on the practice squad. Vrabel said the team's approach with Brown in the two games, and his current status as questionable, are "separate issues here." Asked about the heavy workload for Brown, and if he would have benefited from fewer snaps, Vrabel said: "We want our best players to play and we consider him one of those.
Again, we're really here focused on trying to get a win on the road in the division and we'll make a decision on the guys that are questionable tomorrow.".
Source: ESPN NFL · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing