Having played two games since returning from injured reserve due to a high ankle sprain suffered in Week 1, Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown is still looking for consistency.
In his return to action in Week 6 against the Jets, Brown was targeted 10 times, the most by any Patriot in a game this season, but caught just three passes for 27 yards. He also dropped a career-high three passes and muffed an onside kick attempt late in the game, though tight end Eli Raridon recovered it.
In Week 7 against the Bears, the three-time Pro Bowler caught three passes on six targets for 48 yards. He had just two receptions on four targets before adding a 14-yard catch on New England’s final drive, when the outcome was essentially decided.
Brown has played 101 of the Patriots’ 122 offensive snaps (82.7%) since returning, but has yet to make the impact expected of him after New England sent a first- and fifth-round pick to the Eagles to acquire him in June.
However, during his weekly appearance on The Greg Hill Show on WEEI, head coach Mike Vrabel said he has no concerns about the 29-year-old returning to the level of play the Patriots expect from him this season.
“No, I don’t have any concern,” Vrabel said. “No.”
Reflecting on Brown’s performance over the last two games, during which he has totaled six catches on 16 targets for 75 yards, Vrabel said he believes the wide receiver simply needs to get back into a rhythm.
“I thought that he dropped a few passes, and then the other night there was a contested catch that — I’ve seen him make those plays in the past, I’ve seen those plays get called for DPI, and I’ve seen those plays be good plays by the defense down the field,” Vrabel said. “So, I don’t think anybody has to press here or anything else. I think we just have to get back into a rhythm offensively with the guys that we have.”
After playing his first two games back from injury on a short week, Brown will have some extra time to rest and work his way back into a rhythm before the Patriots return to action in Week 8 against the Dolphins.
Miami is coming off its first win of the season, a victory over the Jets on Sunday, and has allowed 236 passing yards per game, ranking 16th in the NFL.
