A.J. Brown’s return to the New England Patriots’ offense has hit another obstacle, with a knee problem putting his availability against the Miami Dolphins in question.
Brown missed Thursday’s practice because of a knee issue that flared up, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport. Rapoport reported that the receiver’s status for Sunday remained uncertain.
#Patriots WR AJ Brown, not spotted at practice today, is not practicing because of a knee issue that has flared up, sources say.
Brown also was listed on yesterday's injury report with an ankle. Knee was added, as well, and his status for Sunday is up in the air. pic.twitter.com/WvVJl6S6J6
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 29, 2026
The Patriots’ official Thursday injury report confirmed Brown did not participate because of ankle and knee injuries, a step back from his limited participation Wednesday. The knee concern adds to a difficult stretch for a receiver who has already missed four games this season.
New England has not announced that Brown will miss the Miami game or assigned him a final game designation. A practice designation of did not participate is not the same as being ruled out for Sunday.
His absence Thursday nevertheless interrupts a week that offered a chance to build more practice time with quarterback Drake Maye after the team’s Thursday night trip to Chicago.
A.J. Brown was still working through ankle recovery
Brown’s first season with New England was disrupted almost immediately. He suffered a high ankle sprain in the season opener against Seattle, an injury that was reported to keep him out for at least four weeks.
He returned against the New York Jets before playing again against the Bears five days later. Speaking Wednesday, Brown acknowledged that his explosiveness had not been consistent since returning.
“Sometimes I see it, and sometimes I’m pushing through,” Brown said. “None of that stuff even matters. I’m out here, so I’m going.”
Brown also accepted responsibility for missed blocks against Chicago rather than attributing those mistakes to his health. His comments came before Thursday’s report about the knee flare-up and should not be read as an explanation of that new development.
Maye offered a different piece of context Wednesday: Brown was still getting comfortable with the offense after his IR stint, and the quick turnaround between the Jets and Bears games had left little practice time.
The quarterback maintained his confidence in Brown while emphasizing that their work together was still developing.
Patriots already have a depleted receiving group
The Patriots were already adjusting after placing Romeo Doubs on injured reserve with a shoulder injury. Doubs was hurt on a touchdown reception against the Jets, the same game in which Brown returned.
That leaves New England facing the possibility of another week without both receivers. DeMario Douglas, Kyle Williams and Efton Chism III are among the remaining options, but Thursday’s report did not establish how the Patriots would redistribute Brown’s responsibilities if he cannot play.
The uncertainty comes before a matchup that could offer opportunities through the air. Miami ranks 30th in yards allowed per pass attempt at 8.1 and last in opposing passer rating at 116.8.
A contrast was identified within New England’s offense: The Patriots rank fifth in passing EPA but 27th in rushing EPA. Those figures help explain why another disruption to Maye’s receiving group matters, even against a struggling pass defense.
What comes next on the Patriots injury report
Brown was not New England’s only new absence Thursday. Running back TreVeyon Henderson also missed practice with an illness after not appearing on Wednesday’s report.
Maye remained a full participant with a right shoulder issue, while offensive linemen Ben Brown and Morgan Moses remained limited with knee and foot injuries, respectively.
Friday’s practice report and game designations will provide the next scheduled update on Brown ahead of Sunday’s visit to Miami. The Thursday report did not include a recovery timetable for his knee.
For Brown, the immediate question is whether he can return to practice and become available Sunday. His comments Wednesday concerned getting back to his usual level of play; the knee flare-up has made simply getting on the field the more pressing issue.
