NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reports “the hope is” that A.J. Brown (ankle) plays in Week 6.

04 October 2026

Garfolo made it clear that this is what the team hopes will happen, but it’s far from a sure thing. Week 6 is the first week Brown is eligible to return from injured reserve. The Pats placed him on IR after he suffered a high-ankle sprain in Week 1. Previous reports had Brown out for 6-8 weeks, so fantasy managers should be skeptical that he will be back for Week 6, but it’s at least on the table.