NFL: New England Patriots Training Camp
Jul 28, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown (1) walks to practice for training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
The New England Patriots will have to be careful with star receiver A.J. Brown when it comes to avoiding injury before the 2026 season even starts.
Brown is preparing for the eighth season of his NFL career, his first with the Patriots. Having won a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024, he represented that squad for four seasons before New England landed him in a trade this offseason.
Brown reunites with Mike Vrabel, who was his coach from 2019 to 2021 on the Tennessee Titans. Their familiarity will provide major benefits to a Patriots offense needing a star receiver to turn to in big moments.
New England is going through the final week of the preseason as Brown gains chemistry with starting quarterback Drake Maye. They possess a high ceiling with their potential connections going into next season, something for fans to greatly look forward to.
They have to get through the grit and grind of practices and preseason action, trying their best to avoid injuries. Monday’s session presented some scares to the team, as team reporter Ben Volin noted.
“Christian Gonzalez returned to Patriots practice. Was limited at first but took a lot of full team reps. The grass was noticeably slick today. TreVeyon Henderson slipped and left early with apparent ankle injury. AJ Brown also had a scary misstep but avoided a non-contact injury,” Volin wrote.
Christian Gonzalez returned to Patriots practice. Was limited at first but took a lot of full team reps.
The grass was noticeably slick today. TreVeyon Henderson slipped and left early with apparent ankle injury. AJ Brown also had a scary misstep but avoided a non-contact injury pic.twitter.com/Q76dvnILDF
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) August 24, 2026
What Lies Ahead for A.J. Brown and Patriots this Season
NFL: New England Patriots Training Camp
Jul 28, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels speaks to wide receiver A.J. Brown (1) during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
An injury to AJ Brown would be a major setback for a Patriots squad seeking Super Bowl success. With Brown providing that championship experience, avoiding injuries should be top priority for the star players.
Brown remains effective as one of the best receivers in the league, racking up the sixth 1,000-yard season of his career. The 2025 campaign saw him make 78 catches for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns in his final year with the Eagles.
New England secured the second spot in the AFC bracket last season, beating the Los Angeles Chargers, Houston Texans and Denver Broncos. However, they were unable to end it with a title win, losing to the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl 60.
The Patriots’ campaign will get underway on the road with a special matchup. They have a Super Bowl rematch against the Seahawks as kickoff commences on Sept. 9 at 8:20 p.m. ET.