Overview
- Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said Friday that he did not expect A.J. Brown to play in Week 9 against Green Bay after Brown missed multiple straight practices with a knee flare-up.
- Brown has dressed for just three of New England’s nine games and has nine catches for 101 yards, and the knee issue forced him out of last week’s win over Miami.
- Team officials acknowledged before the trade that Brown had degenerative knee wear, and reporting says other clubs, including the Rams, backed away from deals because of those concerns.
- New England gave up a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick for Brown, creating a difficult roster and salary-cap situation if his availability remains limited and the team considers moving on.
- The immediate effect is a depleted receiving corps that has leaned on DeMario Douglas, Efton Chism III, Kyle Williams and tight end Hunter Henry to fill Brown’s role while the team monitors medical updates and roster options.