Patriots Receiver A.J. Brown Misses Practice With Knee Injury

New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown missed practice on Thursday due to a knee injury, adding to the team's concerns about his availability for Sunday's game against the Dolphins. Brown had previously been listed with an ankle injury but appeared on Wednesday's report with designations for both knee and ankle issues.

According to reports, the knee injury is one that Brown has dealt with over the past few years and has recently flared up. His status for the upcoming game remains uncertain. This development follows a previous injury that caused him to miss four games earlier in the season after a high ankle sprain in the opener. Since his return, Brown has had limited production, catching six passes for only 75 yards in his last two games. He also dropped multiple passes and fumbled an onside kick in a recent game against the Jets.

Before the new injury surfaced, Brown had acknowledged he was still working to regain full strength and explosiveness following his ankle sprain. He told reporters on Wednesday that while he felt some of his previous explosiveness returning, it wasn't consistent across all movements, and he was "pushing through." The Patriots acquired Brown in June, trading a first-round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles. Reports indicate that the team was aware of Brown's "degenerative knee condition" prior to the trade, and their medical staff had signed off on the acquisition. The receiver room for the Patriots is already impacted by injuries, with veterans Mack Hollins and Romeo Doubs on injured reserve. Hollins is nearing eligibility to return to practice, while Doubs is expected to be out until at least Week 12.