Fantasy Football News

Patriots WR A.J. Brown (ankle) is being designated to return from IR and will practice on Wednesday, HC Mike Vrabel said. Brown is exactly 5 weeks removed from a high-ankle sprain that was expected to cost him 6 weeks. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport confirms that it "may be a bit early" for Brown to play vs. the Jets this weekend, but adds that "he's trying." We'll keep you updated on Brown's progress over the next few days, but we still wouldn't be counting on him in Week 6 fantasy lineups.

Patriots WR A.J. Brown (ankle) is eligible to come off IR this week, but it doesn't sound like HC Mike Vrabel is counting on him. "I don’t know whenever he’ll be back, but he should help us," Vrabel said. "I hope that he’s going to help us. That remains to be seen yet: when he’ll be back. So, we’ll see how he does today and move from there.” NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said shortly after Brown suffered his high-ankle sprain that he was expected to miss 6 weeks. That timeline would have Brown back Week 8. We'll see if he hits the practice field this week, but fantasy owners shouldn't plan on having Brown for Week 6 fantasy lineups.

Patriots WR A.J. Brown is expected to miss 6 weeks with his high-ankle sprain, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. High-ankle sprains are generally 4- to 6-week injuries, so it sounds like Brown's is on the more significant side. That also adds more risk to his profile when he does make it back on the field, although hopefully the Patriots will give him time to get back to as close to 100% as possible. New England's bye isn't until Week 11, so Brown won't get any help there.

The Patriots are placing WR A.J. Brown on IR, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. That knocks Brown out for at least the next 4 games, making Week 6 his earliest return.

Patriots WR A.J. Brown is expected to miss "at least" 4 weeks with his high-ankle sprain, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Patriots WR A.J. Brown left Wednesday night’s game against the Seahawks early in the third quarter after getting his ankle rolled up on an incompletion. X-Rays ruled out a fracture, but Ian Rapoport of NFL Network says Brown is believed to have suffered a high ankle sprain that could cost him 1 to 6 weeks, depending on the severity.

Update: NFL Network's Ian Rapoport says Brown is expected to miss at least four games after testing confirmed the high-ankle sprain.

Patriots WR A.J. Brown is questionable to return to Thursday night's game vs. the Seahawks with a right ankle injury. The ankle got rolled up on on an incompletion early in the third quarter. Brown was in obvious discomfort on the field and headed into the medical tent with trainers. We'll update his status when we know more.

Update: Brown has been ruled out.

Patriots WR A.J. Brown turned in what Mass Live's Mark Daniels called his best practice of training camp Wednesday. It's probably no coincidence that it came against his former team, the Eagles. Brown caught all 7 of his targets, including "multiple highlight-reel catches," per Daniels.

Patriots WR A.J. Brown has continued to find success as the newest member of the Drake Maye passing attack, catching all 4 targets thrown his way on the ninth day of training camp, per The Boston Herald’s Andrew Callahan. That comes just a day after he dislocated his left thumb.

Patriots WR A.J. Brown dislocated his left thumb in Monday's practice but reportedly did not miss any time for it.

The Patriots plan to increase their offensive pace this season, which will be their second under OC Josh McDaniels (for his latest stint, that is). Last year's offense ranked third-slowest in the league at 30.6 seconds per play. They ranked 24th in 2021 (29.6 seconds), McDaniels' previous most recent Pats season. Before that came a No. 20 ranking in 2020 after eight straight seasons of finishing inside the top 12:

• 2019: 27.9 (11th)
• 2018: 28.0 (seventh)
• 2017: 26.8 (third)
• 2016: 27.9 (12th)
• 2015: 27.2 (eighth)
• 2014: 26.6 (third)
• 2013: 25.8 (fifth)
• 2012: 24.8 (first)