A.J. Brown (hamstring) questionable to return

Brown declined to speak to the media after the game. Head coach Mike Vrabel could only say he was unable to finish the game and the team will learn more when they get back from Germany. Brown injured his hamstring late in the team’s loss to Detroit. He briefly tried to play through it but eventually left for the locker room and did not return. With a Week 11 bye on tap, we might not get concrete information on his injury for a little while.

Rhamondre Stevenson is also active. Brown made the trip to Germany and was limited in all three practices this week. He has been dealing with knee issues for several years, and we’re sure this isn’t the last we will hear of it in 2026. Still, he has been cleared for action today, meaning fantasy managers should get him in their lineups. We’re treating him as a volatile WR2.

Despite his uncertain status, Brown, who was limited in all three practices during the week, made the trip across the Atlantic Ocean with the Pats before their game in Munich, Germany. The veteran has missed two straight contests, and New England may decide to rest him once again before the team’s Week 11 bye. Should Brown suit up, he would sit in the WR2/WR3 tiers against a Detroit secondary that’s improved lately but has been generally friendly to receivers most of the season. If Brown can’t go, DeMario Douglas would take that baton as the top target; Mack Hollins, Efton Chism, and Kyle Williams would see a boost into stronger Flex territory, and tight end Hunter Henry would slot into a more stream-worthy status.

Two limited practices would seem to have him with a real chance to play in Munich, and the fact that he made the trip at all makes it seem likely he’ll have a real chance to go. We’d consider him on the optimistic side of questionable heading into Friday’s practice report.

Brown traveled to Germany with the team and is already practicing to start the week, giving him a shot at suiting up on Sunday morning. Given his lengthy history of knee issues, it still wouldn’t surprise us if he gets another week off. Brown would be in line for a strong workload and WR2 fantasy numbers if active. Fantasy managers will want to monitor this situation throughout the week.

This doesn’t mean Brown will suit up against the Lions, but it is an indicator that the team thinks he has a chance to play if he can have a good week of practice. Brown has missed the Patriots’ last two games after a knee injury flared up following Week 7’s game against the Bears. He did not get on the practice field at all last week, so even a few limited sessions would be an improvement for the 29-year-old receiver. In three games this season, Brown has caught just 9-of-20 targets for 101 scoreless yards. That said, if he’s healthy enough to play in Week 10, he could be primed for a breakout against a lowly Lions secondary.

Brown was unable to practice again Friday, and the 29-year-old will not be able to roll against the Green Bay secondary. It’s a second-consecutive missed game for Brown, who has played in just three games since his blockbuster deal to the Patriots prior to the season. DeMario Douglas, Efton Chism and Kyle Williams will be Drake Maye’s top wideout targets for the game against Green Bay. Not ideal.

Brown seems highly unlikely to play in Week 9 against the Packers. The Patriots could shut him down for a little while, with the goal of getting his degenerative knee and early-season high-ankle sprain healed. For now, fantasy managers should make backup plans in the short term.

Brown’s recurring knee issue flared up during practice last week. He was downgraded to a DNP on Thursday and Friday. The Pats then ruled him out over the weekend. Brown has been dealing with this injury for years, and it was something the Pats acknowledged when they traded for him in the offseason. It wouldn’t be surprising for the team to give him multiple weeks off in preparation for a playoff run. Head coach Mike Vrabel sidestepped a question about putting Brown back on injured reserve. At a minimum, we’re not expecting Brown to suit up this week.

This is basically a non-answer from Vrabel, who said the team will see how Brown progresses through the week and how he responds to treatment. Brown missed Week 8’s game against the Dolphins after he suffered what was described as a flare up” of a knee issue that has plagued him for some time. It’s far too early to assume Brown will be able to go in Week 9 against the Packers given the timing of his injury last week, so his status will be one to keep an eye on throughout the week.