Mack Hollins

Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown is “moving pretty well” in his recovery from a high-ankle sprain, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Schefter said the original recovery estimate was six to eight weeks, but Brown currently appears capable of returning closer to the six-week end of that range. He cautioned that Brown still has work ahead and characterized six weeks as an estimate, not a firm timetable.

Related Players: Romeo Doubs, Mack Hollins, Demario Douglas, Kyle Williams, Efton Chism, Hunter Henry

This is modestly encouraging for Brown’s rest-of-season outlook, but it does not support planning around an immediate Week 6 activation. He remains a strong IR stash, with Week 8 looking like a more practical target if Schefter’s six-week estimate proves accurate. Doubs, Hollins and Douglas should continue handling the majority of New England’s WR opportunities in the meantime.