A.J. Brown Misses Patriots Practice With New Knee Issue

Just when it looked like A.J. Brown was finally getting his legs back, a new problem pops up.

The New England Patriots wide receiver missed practice Thursday for the first time since coming off injured reserve on Oct. 14, ESPN's Mike Reiss reported. Brown was added to the injury report Wednesday with a new knee ailment on top of the right high ankle sprain he suffered in the season opener, and sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport that his status for Sunday's game at Miami is up in the air.

A Slow Return So Far

Brown has played 102 snaps across two games since returning, with six catches for 75 yards and three drops. He was a limited participant in every practice after coming back from IR, and he was honest before Wednesday's session that the explosion has come and gone.

"None of that stuff matters. I'm out here, so I'm going," Brown said.

Thursday's practice was in full shoulder pads, which usually means more contact. That could have played into holding him out.

The Receiver Room Is Thin

This is where it gets scary for New England. With Brown out of practice, DeMario "Pop" Douglas led the receivers through drills, followed by Kyle Williams and Efton Chism III. Those three are the only healthy receivers on the 53-man roster. Ryan Miller, Kyle Dixon, Chandler Brayboy and Cameron Dorner are on the practice squad and could be options for a call-up.

Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels was asked about Brown before anyone knew he would sit. "He's played eight quarters in almost two months and had four practices, I think," McDaniels said. "So, they tell us he can do A, B and C, we'll do A, B and C. If there's some element of thing we need to wait on, we'll do it. I love his attitude and approach."

Patriots at Dolphins

The defending AFC champion Patriots are 4-3 and head to Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday to face the 1-5 Dolphins. On paper it is a game New England should win, but a short-handed receiver group against a division rival is never a lock. Friday's practice and the final injury report will tell us a lot about whether Brown makes the trip as a real option or a decoy.

Smacktok Pick Lean

We lean lower on Brown's receptions in Miami if he plays. He has six catches in two games, he is managing an ankle and now a knee, and he just missed a padded practice. The better lean is higher on Pop Douglas's receptions, since he led the receiver group in drills Thursday and is one of only three healthy wideouts on the roster. Beat Miami, stay above .500, and get Brown healthy for the stretch run.