Mike Vrabel says there is a chance A.J. Brown returns this week after missing four games with an ankle injury

The Patriots got quarterback-and-defense momentum in their most recent win over the Raiders on Sunday, and the bigger roster subplot that surfaced right after the game centered on wide receiver A.J. Brown. According to head coach Mike Vrabel, Brown is at a point where he could return to practice and action sooner rather than later, depending on how the final steps of the recovery process go.

Vrabel’s update matters because Brown’s ankle injury, which he suffered in Week 1, has kept him off the field for an extended stretch. The Yahoo Sports report notes that Sunday’s win was the fourth game he has missed, which in turn affects his roster status. With that fourth missed game completed, Brown is now eligible to come off injured reserve.

In practical terms, eligibility to come off injured reserve is not the same thing as an immediate return. The player still has to clear the team’s internal evaluation timeline, and the coaching staff needs to confirm that the injury has healed enough for him to absorb full practice and game-week workload. Still, Vrabel’s language suggests the Patriots believe Brown’s timeline is aligned with a potential activation soon.

For New England, getting a receiver like Brown back would influence how the offense stretches the field and how defenses prepare for week-to-week targets. The team can also use the prospect of a return to shape practice reps and game plan decisions, especially if Brown is able to ramp up in the days leading into the next opponent.

The immediate next question is whether Vrabel’s “chance” becomes a clear activation decision before kickoff for the coming week. If Brown is not able to progress quickly enough, he could remain sidelined for additional games, and the Patriots would continue operating with other options in the passing game.

For now, the recovery picture has shifted in the Patriots’ favor. The key deadline is tied to Brown’s eligibility status and whether he can convert it into active participation. The next step will reveal whether Sunday’s win against the Raiders marks the final week of his injured-reserve absence or the beginning of a return window.

At the same time, this is a high-stakes moment for roster health across the league. An ankle injury can linger, and teams often prioritize reactivity and control over pure availability. The Patriots appear positioned to monitor Brown closely and make a cautious call that preserves his ability to play effectively rather than simply returning him for one week.