A.J. Brown has barely had a chance to settle into life with the New England Patriots before injuries started getting in the way. Even after returning from injured reserve, the wide receiver struggled to look like himself, and New England continued to give him a heavy workload.

Now another injury has put his availability in doubt, raising a question about how much pressure players face to keep going when they are not fully healthy.

Former Patriots linebacker Ted Johnson Jr. believes Mike Vrabel’s own approach to playing through injuries deserves a closer look.

Ted Johnson Questions Mike Vrabel’s Role in A.J. Brown’s Early Return From Injury

Speaking on “WEEI Sports,” Johnson suggested that coaches can place pressure on injured players without directly telling them to return.

He pointed to the way coaches ask about a player’s recovery, arguing that even routine conversations can carry an expectation.

“There are tactics. Coaches can have tactics. They can ask you, ‘Hey, how’s your hamstring or whatever it is you’re dealing with? How does it feel?’ And that’s basically them pressuring you by just asking you,” Johnson said.

Johnson also questioned whether Vrabel’s own playing career influences the expectations he sets for his team.

The Patriots coach played 206 regular-season games across 14 NFL seasons, averaging 14.7 games per year. He played every game in eight of those seasons, which gives context to Johnson’s concern about a culture that may expect players to compete through injuries.

“You just wonder if there’s a culture of, ‘Hey, man, it’s expected of you to get out there, even if you’re not 100%,’” Johnson said.

Brown’s recent workload has given that argument a specific point of reference. After suffering a right high-ankle sprain in the Patriots’ Week 1 game against Seattle, he spent four games on injured reserve.

New England, which is struggling offensively this season and ranks 15th in PFN NFL Offense Impact%20assigns,red%20zone%20and%20third%20downs.), activated him for its Week 6 matchup against the New York Jets, where he played 76.5% of the offensive snaps. He then logged 90.7% of the snaps against Chicago just four days later.

Brown managed only three catches on ten targets against the Jets before recording three receptions for 48 yards against the Bears. The knee issue then flared up during practice ahead of Week 8, putting his availability against Miami in doubt.

Vrabel rejected suggestions that Brown’s heavy workload contributed to the knee problem. Asked about the connection between Brown’s ankle injury and the later knee issue, he said, “I don’t think those things are… I think those are separate issues.”

The coach also defended his decision to use Brown extensively, saying, “We want our best players to play, and I would consider him one of those.”

When asked about longer-term concerns, Vrabel kept his focus on the upcoming game: “I’m focused on today. I’m focused on getting the team to Miami and win… You waste time worrying.”

Brown was listed as questionable after missing Thursday and Friday practices.