Practice report and injury background
The New England Patriots designated A.J. Brown eligible to return from injured reserve this week, and he took part in limited practices on Wednesday and Thursday as he works back from a high ankle sprain sustained in Week 1.
Brown told reporters Thursday that he "feels good," and he described ramping up his workload gradually to monitor how the ankle responds. Head coach Mike Vrabel said of Brown's on-field work, "I mean, I think he looks O.K., like everybody, some good plays, some bad plays." Vrabel added the staff is assessing "where his conditioning level is, and see where he may feel here after practice today."
Decision timeline and game implications
The Patriots have not made an official determination on whether Brown will play Sunday against the New York Jets; Yardbarker described his availability as "still up in the air." Newsweek similarly noted the team has yet to announce a decision.
Both outlets project the final call will come after Friday's practice. Newsweek suggested there is a real possibility the team could opt to keep Brown out another week and instead target a return on the following Thursday night, citing concerns about asking him to endure back-to-back games in a short week.
Brown acknowledged the choice ultimately belongs to Vrabel and framed it in longer-term terms: "Obviously it's going to be a Coach Vrabel decision, to see where I'm at and make the better decision for the long haul, not just for temporarily." He also said simply, "I felt pretty good," as he gauges the ankle over successive practices.
The Patriots' cautious approach reflects the nature of Brown's injury: he returned to practice this week after suffering a high right ankle sprain. Some coverage noted New England faces a short week, and Brown said the ultimate decision on his availability would be up to coach Mike Vrabel.
For now, Brown is back on the practice field, limited in his work after the high ankle sprain and saying "I felt pretty good" as he plans to increase his workload gradually. It remains unclear whether he'll play Sunday against the New York Jets; the decision appears likely to come after Friday's practice and the coaches' assessment of his conditioning and readiness.
