The New England Patriots acquired A.J. Brown to give Drake Maye the elite receiver he needed to take the next step in his development. Eight games into the season, they’re still waiting to see that partnership develop.

Brown has played in just three games, catching nine passes for 101 yards. Now, another injury setback threatens to keep him out of Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers, raising questions that extend well beyond Week 9.

The three-time Pro Bowl receiver missed practice Wednesday and Thursday with ankle and knee injuries, according to the Patriots’ injury report. He also missed last Sunday’s victory over the Miami Dolphins after experiencing renewed knee discomfort while attempting to return from a high ankle sprain.

For a New England team that surrendered first- and fourth-round draft picks to acquire Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles, the lack of production is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.

The Patriots are 5-3 and firmly in the AFC playoff race. They have managed to win without their biggest offensive acquisition, but that wasn’t the plan when they made one of the NFL’s most significant offseason trades.

With concerns about Brown’s knee beginning to surface publicly, the Patriots must decide how aggressively to push for his return.

A.J. Brown’s Latest Injury Setback Raises Concerns

Brown’s absence from the first two practices of the week makes his availability against Green Bay increasingly uncertain.

The receiver initially suffered a high ankle sprain that sidelined him for four games. He appeared to be progressing toward a return last week before a knee issue interrupted those plans.

According to the Patriots’ website, Brown was unable to complete Wednesday’s practice before missing the final two sessions of the week. He was subsequently downgraded to out against Miami.

The knee issue is particularly concerning because it may not be an isolated problem.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter has reported that concerns about Brown’s knee affected interest from other teams before New England acquired him. The Los Angeles Rams were reportedly among the clubs that had reservations.

Patriots executive Eliot Wolf also acknowledged before the season that Brown’s knee had accumulated wear, although New England’s medical staff cleared the trade.

That distinction matters.

A high ankle sprain is a significant injury, but one that generally has a clearer recovery process. Recurring knee discomfort in a veteran receiver with Brown’s physical playing style presents a different challenge. It does not necessarily mean Brown is dealing with a career-threatening condition. But it does raise questions about how consistently the Patriots can count on him, particularly as the season moves toward its most important stretch.

Patriots Paid a Premium for a Receiver They Haven’t Been Able to Use

New England didn’t acquire Brown to be a complementary piece.

The Patriots traded valuable draft capital to bring in a proven No. 1 receiver capable of changing how opposing defenses approach Maye.

Brown’s combination of size, strength and ability to win contested catches was supposed to give the young quarterback a reliable option in critical situations. Instead, his contributions have been minimal.

Nine receptions for 101 yards through eight team games is a disappointing return for a player expected to become one of the offense’s central figures.

The concern isn’t simply that Brown has missed time. It’s that the Patriots have yet to establish how their offense functions with him as a consistent contributor.

That creates a difficult situation for offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who must continue building the passing game around the players available while leaving room for Brown to eventually assume a major role.

It also complicates the long-term evaluation of the trade.

According to reporting summarized by Pats Pulpit, moving on from Brown after this season could leave New England with nearly $26 million in dead salary-cap charges. That makes a quick separation financially unattractive, even if his injury problems persist.

The Patriots made a substantial commitment to Brown. Their best outcome remains getting him healthy and allowing the partnership with Maye to develop. But the early returns have created legitimate questions about whether New England underestimated the medical risks associated with the acquisition.

Drake Maye Could Be Missing Three Important Weapons Against Green Bay

Brown isn’t the only offensive player whose availability is in doubt.

Running back TreVeyon Henderson and tight end Hunter Henry also missed practice Wednesday and Thursday.

Henderson has been dealing with an illness that kept him out of the Miami game, while Henry is recovering from a foot injury.

The possibility of losing all three would create a significant challenge for Maye against a Packers team that also enters Sunday’s matchup with a 5-3 record.

Henry has been one of Maye’s established targets, particularly in situations where the quarterback needs a dependable option over the middle. Henderson offers explosiveness out of the backfield and the ability to contribute in the passing game. Brown, when healthy, gives the Patriots the physical outside receiver they have lacked in recent seasons.

Without them, New England would need increased production from DeMario Douglas, Efton Chism III, Kyle Williams and Rhamondre Stevenson.

Veteran receiver Mack Hollins could also provide help. Hollins has returned to practice after spending time on injured reserve with a calf injury, although his availability has not been finalized.

The good news for New England is that Maye has continued to play well despite the injuries around him.

The quarterback was a full participant in both practices this week despite appearing on the injury report with a right shoulder issue.

That provides some reassurance heading into a matchup with a Green Bay defense that presents its own challenges.

Still, asking Maye to consistently overcome the absence of multiple important offensive players is not a sustainable strategy for a team with postseason ambitions.

Should the Patriots Keep Brown Out Until After Their Bye Week?

New England may have an opportunity to take a more cautious approach with Brown’s recovery.

The Patriots face Green Bay on Sunday before traveling to Germany for their Week 10 matchup. Their bye week follows in Week 11. That schedule creates the possibility of giving Brown additional recovery time before the final stretch of the regular season.

Rather than rushing him back for one or two games, the Patriots could prioritize having him healthier for December and January.

There are obvious drawbacks.

New England is trying to establish itself as a legitimate AFC contender, and every game matters in the playoff race. Brown was acquired to help win precisely these kinds of matchups.

But bringing him back before his ankle and knee are ready could lead to another setback, potentially costing the Patriots more games later in the season.

The decision ultimately belongs to Brown, the team’s medical staff and head coach Mike Vrabel.

The Patriots should also be mindful of the larger investment. They surrendered two draft picks and assumed a substantial financial commitment because they believed Brown could be a difference-maker for several seasons, not merely a handful of games in November.

Protecting that investment may be more important than forcing an immediate return.

A.J. Brown’s Health Could Shape the Patriots’ Future

There is still plenty of time for Brown to change the narrative surrounding his first season in New England. A healthy Brown remains capable of giving Maye an imposing target and forcing defenses to account for one of the NFL’s most accomplished receivers. His presence could become particularly valuable if the Patriots reach the postseason.

But availability is now the central issue.

The Patriots have demonstrated they can win games without Brown. What they haven’t demonstrated is that the trade will provide the long-term return they envisioned.

That question will not be answered Sunday, regardless of whether Brown plays against the Packers. It will be answered over the remainder of the season and beyond, as New England determines whether its expensive acquisition can become the dependable centerpiece of its passing game.

For now, the Patriots are left waiting for a player they expected to build around.

And each additional missed game makes that wait more concerning.