Patriots: A.J. Brown Good to Go vs Bears After Ankle Scare
A.J. Brown is good to go for the New England Patriots on Thursday night. The Patriots wide receiver practiced fully on Wednesday, October 21, and carries no injury designation for the Week 7 game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field, one week after a rough return from injured reserve against the New York Jets.
A.J. Brown practiced fully on Wednesday and carries no injury designation for Thursday night in Chicago
Brown was limited in the New England Patriots' first two practices of the short week before the full session on Wednesday removed him from the injury report. The clearance answers the question is A.J. Brown playing Thursday night with a clear yes, and it gives quarterback Drake Maye his No. 1 receiver for a prime-time matchup between two 4-2 teams.
Brown did not blame his ankle for the drops that marred his return against the Jets
A.J. Brown returned from a four-game absence on injured reserve in Week 6 and played 76 percent of the offensive snaps against the New York Jets, finishing with three catches for 27 yards on 10 targets and three drops in the 26-19 win. Brown was diagnosed with a high ankle sprain in Week 1, but he refused to use the ankle or rust as an excuse this week.
"I just didn't make the play," Brown said Tuesday, per NBC Sports, which credited Mark Daniels of MassLive. "I'm not really going backwards because it's over with now. You know, I watched the film, I put it to bed, and I'm looking forward."
Brown said he will not change his preparation for the Chicago Bears game. "No, same process as before," Brown said. "You know, doing my daily things, getting ready for the game, preparing. Go out here and make plays and leave it at that."
MORE: Patriots: A.J. Brown Drops vs Jets Mar Rough Return From IR
Drake Maye still has full faith in A.J. Brown heading into Soldier Field
Drake Maye backed his top receiver when Maye spoke about the Jets game this week. "I mean, it's A.J. Brown," Maye said, per NBC Sports. "Last week is what it is. You know, I wish I had some throws back and, throw some targets his way. And I think it's part of this league."
The timing matters because the New England Patriots need Brown at full speed in Chicago. Head coach Mike Vrabel ruled out both starting guards, Alijah Vera-Tucker and Ben Brown, on Wednesday, so Matt Pryor and Walter Rouse will start on either side of center Jared Wilson. A rebuilt interior line puts even more value on Brown winning quickly against a Chicago Bears defense that allows 9.8 yards per target to opposing receivers, per RotoWire.
What does a bounce-back game for A.J. Brown vs Bears coverage look like on Thursday night?
An A.J. Brown bounce back vs Bears coverage starts with clean catches on the early targets Drake Maye sends his way at Soldier Field. Brown saw 10 targets in his first game back against the New York Jets, so the volume in the New England Patriots offense is already there. Converting that volume on Thursday night, October 22, would settle the Patriots passing game before a Week 8 meeting with the Miami Dolphins.
The Chicago Bears enter Thursday night at 4-2, matching the New England Patriots record, and the winner leaves Soldier Field at 5-2. For Brown, the game is a short-week reset: the film from the Jets game is closed, the ankle is off the injury report, and the targets should keep coming.
Answers to the questions Patriots fans are asking
Is A.J. Brown playing Thursday night against the Bears?
Yes. A.J. Brown practiced fully on Wednesday, October 21, and does not carry an injury designation for the New England Patriots game against the Chicago Bears on Thursday night, October 22, at Soldier Field.
What happened to A.J. Brown against the Jets?
A.J. Brown returned from four games on injured reserve with a high ankle sprain and caught three passes for 27 yards on 10 targets, with three drops, in the New England Patriots 26-19 win over the New York Jets. Brown said he watched the film and put the game behind him.
When do the Patriots play the Bears?
The New England Patriots play the Chicago Bears on Thursday night, October 22, at Soldier Field in Chicago. Both teams enter the Thursday Night Football game with 4-2 records.
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