Patriots receiver A.J. Brown returns from ankle injury with 27 yards, three drops
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown caught 3 of 10 targets for 27 yards and dropped three passes in a 26-19 win over the Jets.
His slow start after a blockbuster move from Philadelphia has hurt both the offense and fantasy teams.
Background
A.J. Brown is a 29-year-old wide receiver in his eighth NFL season, now with the New England Patriots after arriving from the Philadelphia Eagles in what AS USA calls a blockbuster move. With the Eagles he recorded 339 catches for 5,034 yards and 32 touchdowns in 62 games. His 2026 season was disrupted when he suffered a high-ankle sprain in the opener and went on injured reserve, missing four games; the Jets game was his first back.
How it unfolded
- Sep 9, 2026Brown had 3 receptions for 26 yards in a 10-13 loss at the Seahawks, suffered a high-ankle sprain and was placed on injured reserve, missing the next four games.
- Oct 18, 2026In his return, Brown had 3 receptions on 10 targets for 27 yards, 0 touchdowns, 1 fumble (0 lost) and 3 drops in a 26-19 win over the Jets.
- Oct 20, 2026Brown was limited in practice on Tuesday and listed as questionable with an ankle injury ahead of Week 7 at Chicago.
Who’s saying what
- Analysts
- AS USA's Maddie Meyer and Jennifer Bubel called it a frustrating first step in Brown's bid to become the team's leading receiver, with his three drops limiting a more productive return.
- Fantasy
- StatChasers noted Brown has yet to score a touchdown, so his fantasy production has come from volume, with a floor of about 7.0 targets a game.
- Fantasy
- FantasySp sees volume upside for Brown at Chicago in a high-scoring matchup.
Still unverified
Brown is listed as questionable with an ankle injury and was limited in practice on Tuesday ahead of Week 7 versus the Bears.