A.J. Brown injury update: New England Patriots newly traded WR misses practice due to flared up degenerative knee issue

So much for so little. All 2026 offseason, when Dianna Russini and Mike Vrabel’s alleged Sedona cheating scandal took up cyberspace, their only speculated NFL connection was A.J. Brown. Brown reportedly started his own trade rumors while being unhappy with the Philadelphia Eagles.The rumors reached then-The Athletic’s NFL reporter Dianna Russini. Russini reportedly stayed close to New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel for years.The New England Patriots traded for A.J. Brown in the 2026 offseason. So much for so little. When Brown entered the gridiron as a New England Patriot in the 2026 season, he hardly played any games for them.A.J. Brown’s injury woes raise Week 8 concernsA.J. Brown recorded just 9 receptions for 101 yards and 0 touchdowns in just 3 games. In the season-opener vs. the Seattle Seahawks, Brown suffered a grade 3 high ankle sprain when he went down on a third-down incomplete pass from New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye.Brown was seen in a walking boot. He was placed on a short-term IR with a high ankle sprain. He missed four games from Week 2 to Week 5. He returned in Week 6 vs. the New York Jets and Week 7 vs. the Chicago Bears. But he suffered a new injury in the week leading up to the Week 8 matchup vs. the Miami Dolphins.The 29-year-old, highly coveted wide receiver missed Thursday’s practice due to a longstanding knee issue that reportedly flared up recently. This raises fresh questions about his availability for Sunday’s Week 8 clash vs. Miami. As per NFL insider Ian Rapoport, Brown may not play in Week 8.The development is concerning because Brown just returned from a high ankle sprain. The grade 3 ankle injury had him sidelined for four games.As per Draft Sharks, Brown is listed as questionable for Week 8 because of a degenerative knee injury that flared up in practice. Brown was a limited participant on Wednesday. He did not practice on Thursday. His likelihood of playing is medium.The Mississippi alum carries a high injury risk. He has a 61% chance of injury in 2026, with a 5.4% chance of injury per game. He was projected to miss 2.6 games in 2026, he has already missed 4. However, there is a silver lining: his durability is 5.00, with 5 being the highest possible score.Mike Vrabel’s Patriots face a wide receiver depth crisisA.J. Brown’s new injury has head coach Mike Vrabel worried. Vrabel did not apparently believe in his team during the 2026 preseason. “I do not think we have a very deep team,” the coach said after a preseason victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in August 2026.His not-very-deep-team comment is coming true with every passing moment in the 2026 season. The Patriots do not have wide receiver depth. A.J. Brown is back from IR but is questionable for the latest matchup vs. the Dolphins.Romeo Doubs is placed on IR due to a shoulder injury; he is expected to return after Week 11. Mack Hollins is placed on IR due to a calf injury. He may return to practice next week. So much for so little.Top wide receiver trade targetsNew England Patriots could consider the following wide receivers before the November 10 trade deadline:1. Josh Downs - Indianapolis Colts2. Brian Thomas Jr. - Jacksonville Jaguars3. Jerry Jeudy - Cleveland Browns4. Brandon Aiyuk - San Francisco 49ers5. Jauan Jennings - Minnesota Vikings.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.