Patriots expected to activate A.J. Brown for Jets clash after ankle injury
Patriots expected to activate A.J. Brown for Jets clash after ankle injury
Joseph Staszewski, Brian Costello Sun, October 18, 2026 at 12:20 AM UTC
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New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown looks on during warmups before an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Seattle, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026.
Drake Maye and the Patriots offense have overcome their early-season slump over the past two weeks, and they are now likely to add one of their most important weapons Sunday against the Jets in Foxborough.
Key offseason pickup A.J. Brown is expected to be activated from injured reserve for the first time since sustaining an ankle injury in the season opener, according to multiple reports.
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The 29-year-old Brown, a three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver, was acquired from the Eagles in the offseason for a 2028 first-round draft pick and a 2027 fifth-rounder.
He had three receptions for 26 yards in his team debut Sept. 9 before suffering a high-ankle sprain in the third quarter of a 13-10 loss to the Seahawks in a rematch of the Super Bowl.
Maye threw six interceptions and just one touchdown pass in the Pats’ first three games (1-2) before rebounding to compile 643 passing yards with seven TDs and one pick in New England’s back-to-back wins against the Bills and the Raiders.
New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown looks on during warmups before an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Seattle, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026. AP Photo/Stephen Brashear
Getting back Brown should provide a boost to a receiving corps featuring Romeo Doubs, DeMario Douglas, Kyle Williams and Efton Chism III, with Mack Hollins sidelined with a calf injury.
“I think you see it in the NBA. It’s probably the closest thing that I can think of,” Maye said earlier this week. “When they start doubling the best player once they get past half court, then they’re just leaving a corner 3 open or leaving a guy open for a dunk. So it’s kind of like playing receiver with a guy like that.
“We’ve got a lot of guys that have made plays now, so it’s going to be tough on defenses. But I know we’ve got a tough challenge this week, so looking forward to it.”
A.J. Brown #1 of the New England Patriots sits on the field with an injury against the Seattle Seahawks during the NFL football game at Lumen Field on September 9, 2026. Getty Images
Brown returned to practice Wednesday on a limited basis, according to the team’s injury report. He said Patriots coach Mike Vrabel would make the decision about his return for the “long haul, not just for temporarily.”
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Joe Tippmann had already watched the Browns game three times before his head hit the pillow last Sunday night.
It was a rough game for Tippmann. He was charged with two sacks and two penalties.
“Personally, I think, you know, definitely not my best game,” Tippmann said this week. “A lot of stuff on film that I know I can correct and be better at and just kind of the stuff that allows me to play well. I can’t have those penalties, the hold and the offsides penalty. You just can’t have that. That’s not a part of my game that I think should ever be showing up.”
Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Sam Kamara (92) sacks New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith (7) in front of Jets center Joe Tippmann (66) during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
It was an outlier for Tippmann, who has been a solid starter for the Jets since his rookie season in 2023. Interestingly, Pro Football Focus gave Tippmann its highest grade for a Jets offensive player because of his run blocking in the game.
Tippmann said he buried himself in his tablet Sunday night, studying what he needs to clean up.
“That’s normal whether I have the best game ever or the worst game of my career,” Tippmann said. “I like to be able to completely diagnose the game before we go in the next morning so that when we are watching it, if we stop on a play where something wasn’t perfect for me, I already know what I can do better there.”
Tippmann said he did not spend too much time lamenting the game, but rather focused on what he wants to fix before this week’s game with the Patriots.
New York Jets center Joe Tippmann runs onto the field before an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, in East Rutherford, N.J. AP Photo/Seth Wenig
“I lock into the stuff I want to clean up and then it goes into my notes,” Tippmann said. “I don’t dwell on what happened, how it happened.”
The Patriots have the No. 5-rated defense in the NFL and have a tough defensive line. The Jets were happy with how they ran the ball against the Browns last week, rushing for 134 yards, and hope they can do that again in New England.
“I think it’s going out and playing physical again,” Tippmann said of the keys against New England, “getting on double teams and being able to stick on those double teams and make them pay and win the run game.”
The Jets officially activated rookie WR Omar Cooper Jr. from IR, and he will play Sunday. They also elevated LB Jaden Keller from the practice squad.
The NFL fined Jets safety Minkah Fitzpatrick twice for penalties in last week’s game. He was fined $17,911 for a hit on a defenseless receiver, Browns WR KC Concepcion. He also was fined $11,941 for a facemask penalty.
Source: “AOL Sports”
