A.J. Brown injury update gives Patriots huge boost in Week 6 after IR stint

Drake Maye finally looked like himself again in Week 5, and the New England Patriots offense might be getting even better after an important A.J. Brown update on Saturday. Mike Vrabel’s team has been without its No. 1 wide receiver since Week 1 in Seattle. However, it appears the former Super Bowl champion is nearing a return to the field. This couldn’t come at a better time for the Patriots as they look to keep pace with the Buffalo Bills in the AFC East. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reveals that the Patriots will “likely activate” Brown off IR before Sunday’s game against the New York Jets. The 29-year-old exited New England’s Week 1 loss against the Seattle Seahawks with a high-ankle sprain. Now, Maye and the offense will have another weapon to add into the mix after the team traded for Brown during the offseason. Vrabel and Co. acquired Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles for a 2028 first-round pick. MORE: Quinshon Judkins, Jacory Croskey-Merritt, TreVeyon Henderson and more RB injury updates for Week 6 A.J. Brown boosts Patriots’ WR group More updates are likely to follow on Brown’s status. Check back on Sunday morning when inactives are announced around 11:30 a.m. ET. —  Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter  —