Patriots HC Mike Vrabel 'very confident' in A.J. Brown's health

New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Patriots HC Mike Vrabel 'very confident' in A.J. Brown's health, despite reported knee issue

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Jul 27, 2026 12:45 PM ET

New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel insists the team isn't concerned about the health of wide receiver A.J. Brown heading into the 2026 season.

On Monday, Vrabel spoke to the media at training camp. He dismissed a report that shared Brown is suffering from a degenerative right knee issue.

Mike Vrabel speaks on A.J. Brown's health

"I think a lot of things get fabricated and people tell stories," Vrabel said. "We're very confident in where [Brown's] at physically."

Someone must have forgotten to remind Vrabel the report wasn't fabricated. His colleague, Patriots vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf, told Yahoo Sports' Jori Epstein in a June story that Brown has a knee problem. This reportedly scared off the Los Angeles Rams, who considered trading for the former Philadelphia Eagles WR.

Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel on AJ Brown’s knee injury

Per: @Patriots

“I think a lot of things get fabricated and people tell stories…we’re very confident in where he’s at physically.” pic.twitter.com/RJ2GzfMWT8
— Savage (@Savageboston) July 27, 2026

"It's a factor, but we examined him," Wolf said. "He's got a knee that has some wear and tear that we're aware of. Our training staff and medical staff signed off on it."

Brown downplayed the knee condition shortly after the story was published.

"No injury. There's nothing to worry about," he said. "Maybe in what, four years? I've missed one game from a shot to the knee, so that's nothing to worry about. I'm good. I'm ready to go."

A.J. Brown, when asked about his knee:

"No injury. Nothing to worry about."

"Maybe in what, four years? I've missed one game from a shot to the knee, so that's nothing to worry about. I'm good. I'm ready to go."
-@CLNSMedia pic.twitter.com/dFaRrTMamL
— Patriots on CLNS (@PatriotsCLNS) June 2, 2026

Brown's durability wasn't a problem during his time with the Eagles (2022-25) and the Tennessee Titans (2019-21). The three-time Pro Bowler never played in fewer than 13 games during his tenures with both teams.

The knee issue is something the team should continue to monitor, but it appears the Patriots have done their due diligence. New England hopes it's correct.

The Patriots are counting on Brown becoming quarterback Drake Maye's new favorite target. This offseason, the Patriots released WR Stefon Diggs, despite ranking 12th in the NFL in receptions (85 in 17 games) and 16th in receiving yards (1,013) in 2025. Brown, meanwhile, logged 78 receptions for 1,003 yards in 15 games for the Eagles.

Clark Dalton

Clark Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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