New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown was a limited participant on Wednesday as the team opened his 21-day practice window.
Brown has been sidelined since sustaining a high-ankle sprain during the second half of the Patriots’ 13-10 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the teams’ season opener on Sept. 9. He went on injured reserve two days later and missed the team’s last four games.
Pro Bowl cornerback Christian Gonzalez also was limited after telling reporters before practice that he’s ready to return to the field after missing two games due to a shoulder injury.
“I’m good now, ready for Sunday,” Gonzalez told reporters.
The Patriots (3-2) host their AFC East rivals, the New York Jets (2-3), on Sunday.
New England cornerbacks Carlton Davis III (neck) and Karon Prunty (hamstring) were the only players who did not practice, while quarterback Drake Maye (right shoulder) was a full participant. Brown and Gonzalez were among 13 players listed as limited, including running back TreVeyon Henderson (ankle) and offensive tackles Will Campbell (knee) and Morgan Moses (foot).
Gonzalez, 24, signed a four-year, $135 million contract extension last month.
He has started all 37 career games in which he has played — including three this season — since being selected by New England with the 17th overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Oregon.
As for Brown, he sustained his injury after he was targeted by a third-down pass from Maye, but Seahawks nickel cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett deflected the pass to force a punt. Pritchett’s knee landed on the outside of Brown’s ankle, which twisted inward as he went to the ground.
Acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles via trade in early June, Brown had three receptions for a team-high 26 yards in the first half.
Brown, 29, was named second-team All-Pro with the Eagles in 2022, 2023 and 2024.
He has 527 receptions for 8,055 yards and 56 touchdowns in 106 career games (98 starts) with the Tennessee Titans (2019-21), Eagles (2022-25) and Patriots.
–Field Level Media
