It's been a largely disappointing first half of the season for wide receiver A.J. Brown in his debut campaign with the New England Patriots. Things are possibly about to get worse for the Patriots and their marquee offseason trade acquisition.
New England could potentially afford to sit Brown in Week 8 if he's not healthy enough, as the Patriots are heavy road favorites for Sunday's contest versus the Miami Dolphins. New England has a pair of NFC North contenders on deck in Weeks 9 and 10 with the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions, respectively, before its Week 11 bye. The Patriots are just 4-3 this fall, however, so if they want to make a run at their second straight AFC East crown and put pressure on the Buffalo Bills (5-1), they can't take the Dolphins for granted.
Brown has played in just three of New England's first seven contests this year as he missed Weeks 2, 3, 4 and 5 due to a high-ankle sprain. The three-time Pro Bowler returned to action in Week 6 against the New York Jets but has yet to have an impact on offense. Brown has played only 132 offensive snaps in his three games and has recorded nine catches for 101 scoreless yards on 20 targets.
His longest reception of the season has gone for just 18 yards, but Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel said on Monday that he isn't concerned about the 29-year-old's lack of production. Thursday's news still leaves the door open for Brown to take the field and perhaps turn things around on Sunday, but it's not looking great.
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