New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown returned to practice Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026, after suffering a high ankle sprain in Week 1.
Brown’s practice return opened his 21-day injured reserve window, but his A.J. Brown return status for Sunday against the New York Jets remains up in the air, according to Pats Pulpit reporter Brian Hines.
The Patriots can now evaluate Brown in practice while deciding whether he is ready to return to game action. The opening of the window does not by itself mean Brown has been activated or will play Sunday.
A.J. Brown Return Status Remains Uncertain for Patriots-Jets
Hines reported that Brown described his availability for the Patriots’ Sunday matchup with the Jets as unsettled. Brown said, “It’s still up in the air,” when asked about his status for the game.
Brown also said the final decision would belong to head coach Mike Vrabel. “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 temporarily,” Brown said, according to Hines.
That places the focus on Brown’s response to practice rather than on the procedural step of opening his injured reserve return window. The Patriots have time to assess how he handles football work before determining whether to add him back to the active roster.
Brown Opens the Patriots’ 21-Day IR Return Window
Hines reported that Brown returned Wednesday as a limited participant. The session marked his first practice work since the high ankle sprain he suffered during Week 1.
The 21-day period gives New England a defined evaluation window for Brown’s recovery. During that span, the Patriots can continue practicing him while considering whether he is prepared to return to the active roster.
Brown said he felt good after returning to practice, while also emphasizing a gradual approach. “One step at a time with me, each and every day, just trying to increase my load and just see how I respond each and every day,” Brown said.
That comment reflects the day-to-day nature of the decision. Brown has begun working with the team again, but his practice participation is being treated as part of the evaluation process rather than as confirmation of his Sunday availability.
A.J. Brown’s Practice Workload Is Increasing
Hines reported that Brown participated in Thursday’s fully padded practice after taking part in the limited session Wednesday. The progression gave the Patriots another opportunity to monitor Brown’s response under more demanding practice conditions.
Brown said padded work represented a more meaningful step than a non-padded practice because players are not attempting to make contact with him during the lighter session. He said his goal was to improve, complete the work and assess how he felt afterward.
The two-day progression gives New England additional information before Sunday’s game. Brown has moved from limited work to a fully padded session, but the Patriots still must weigh his recovery and the demands of returning to an NFL game.
Vrabel Will Make the Long-Term Decision
Brown’s comments put the availability decision with Vrabel. Brown said the coach would determine whether playing against the Jets represented the better choice for his long-term recovery.
That distinction matters because Brown’s return would not be judged only by whether he can participate in one game. The Patriots also must consider how his ankle responds to practice, football movement and the workload associated with a regular-season matchup.
Brown said he would continue increasing his workload one day at a time. His comments left the door open to a Sunday return without presenting it as a completed decision.
Josh McDaniels Says Patriots Are Preparing for Both Outcomes
Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels told Hines that Brown’s return brought “fresh juice” to the offense. McDaniels also said the Patriots had discussed how to structure their offensive packages for either outcome.
McDaniels said New England knows how it would play the game if Brown is unable to go and that the players are preparing for both possibilities. That approach allows the offense to continue its normal preparation without waiting for one final determination.
The contingency planning also gives the Patriots a way to manage Brown’s return responsibly. If he is available, the offense can incorporate him according to the workload the coaching staff believes is appropriate. If he is not, the Patriots have already prepared an alternative plan.
Thursday Night Football Adds Another Factor
The NFL schedule has New England facing the Jets on Sunday before traveling to Chicago to play the Bears on Thursday night. The short turnaround adds another scheduling factor to the Patriots’ decision-making process.
The immediate issue is the Patriots-Jets matchup, but the quick trip to Chicago is part of the broader workload calculation. A return Sunday would be followed by a short preparation cycle, while sitting out would provide Brown with additional time to recover before the next game.
The Patriots’ Jets matchup therefore represents one step in a larger recovery decision. McDaniels has said the offense is preparing for both outcomes, while Brown has said Vrabel will make the final call with the long-term picture in mind.
For now, the A.J. Brown return status remains open. Brown has returned to practice, opened his 21-day injured reserve window and progressed from limited work Wednesday to a fully padded session Thursday, but the Patriots have not announced his Sunday availability.
