Overview
- Brown suffered a right high-ankle sprain in the season opener on Sept. 9 that an MRI confirmed and was placed on injured reserve with a designation to return.
- Citing Wednesday's locker-room sighting, multiple local reporters said Brown walked without a noticeable limp and was in cleats, an encouraging sign for rehab.
- NFL and team sources say the earliest he can be activated is Week 6, which falls on Oct. 18, because the injured-reserve designation carries a four-game minimum.
- Medical experts and outlets caution that limp-free walking is an early rehab benchmark and that further tests such as single-leg balance, stairs and jogging are needed before he can practice or play.
- Brown's potential early return matters because his absence has coincided with New England's offensive struggles and heavier target loads for backups, and his availability could change roster and game-plan decisions.