FOXBORO — If there’s one silver lining to the Patriots having a short week before Thursday night’s matchup with the Bears, it’s that A.J. Brown can quickly move past his [disappointing showing](https://www.bostonherald.com/2026/10/18/a-j-brown-makes-promise-after-battling-drops-in-underwhelming-patriots-return/) against the Jets.
And that’s exactly what he’s doing ahead of Week 7.
“I just didn’t make the play. I’m not really going backwards because it’s over with now,” Brown said Tuesday. I watched the film. I put it to bed, and I’m looking forward.”
The Patriots were still able to beat the Jets [26-19 at home](https://www.bostonherald.com/2026/10/18/best-and-worst-what-we-learned-from-injury-ravaged-patriots-in-26-19-win-over-jets/) on Sunday, but Brown didn’t provide much help, catching just three passes on 10 targets for 27 yards and multiple drops.
It was a performance that didn’t meet the three-time Pro Bowler’s usual standards.
He was better in Week 1 before suffering a high ankle sprain in the Patriots’ loss to the Seahawks, catching three passes on four targets for 26 yards in just over two quarters of action.
Brown says he’s taking the same approach this week, despite his uncharacteristic struggles against the Jets.
“Same process as before,” Brown said. “Doing my daily things, just getting ready for the game, preparing, and go out here and make plays and leave it at that.”
One piece of good news coming out of Sunday’s game is that Brown’s ankle is “feeling good.”
Brown returned faster than expected from his high ankle sprain and played over 75% of offensive snaps.
I think bumps and bruises from the first game,” Brown said. Everything but the ankle. So, just trying to get my body going again and get ready to go on Thursday.”
Head coach Mike Vrabel was asked about Brown’s heavy workload in his return to the field. Though Brown missed only four weeks, it had been over five weeks since Brown injured his ankle against the Seahawks.
The Patriots dressed five wide receivers against the Jets, but starter Romeo Doubs left the game early with a shoulder injury.
“We were down to four guys, so I mean, somebody’s got to play in there,” Vrabel said Monday. “We like to have our best players available as much as they can be.”
Brown could have another heavy workload this week with Doubs now on injured reserve. The Patriots have four wide receivers on their 53-man roster: Brown, Efton Chism, DeMario Douglas and Kyle Williams. They could elect to elevate a wide receiver from the practice squad, but with injuries on their offensive line and at cornerback, they might elect to rely on their roster players.
Quarterback Drake Maye certainly didn’t seem concerned that Brown would have a repeat performance from Sunday.
“I mean, it’s A.J. Brown,” Maye said. “Last week is what it is. I wish I had some throws back and attempts I targeted his way. And I think it’s part of this league. You want to make a play so bad, you want to have plays back, and there’s plays that I want back every week. And that’s part of it, and we’re on to on to — this. It’s a short week, so we got to get focused on Chicago and knowing that it’s a tough environment we’re coming into with a good team, a good defense, good offense, good all around. They’re well coached. We got a tough challenge, so I’m glad and happy with how we’ve kind of approached this short week so far, and we got some more work to do to try to catch up and get on track.”
There were times in Sunday’s win when the rapport between Maye and Brown seemed lacking.
The two started out a little slow at the beginning of training camp, but their chemistry evolved quickly and became a strength over the summer.
“We’re always trying to evolve,” Brown said. “Not just with him, but just with all the pass catchers and all of us trying to continue to grow in that area, and just go out here and make plays. It’s nothing to overthink. You throw it and catch it, you make the play. Simple as that. I’m gonna keep it very simple because it is, you know? And that’s how I approach the game, and you just gotta keep it pushing.”
PFF charged Brown with two drops in Sunday’s win. He had just five drops in his last two seasons combined, so history says the former Titans and Eagles great won’t replicate his Week 6 struggles.
The Patriots will need Maye and Brown to be at their best in order to beat the Bears on just four days rest.