Patriots' A.J. Brown admits he's still 'pushing through' to reclaim top form after ankle injury

Earlier this week, New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel insisted that he doesn't "have any concern" about A.J. Brown after the veteran wide receiver produced a pair of shaky outings following his return from the high ankle sprain he suffered in the Patriots' 13-10 season-opening loss at the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 9.

During a recent chat with Mike Giardi of Boston Sports Journal, Brown admitted he isn't quite where he'd like to be, physically speaking, as he attempts to reclaim his top form this fall. 

A.J. Brown knows he hasn't been his best self since injury

"Yeah, sometimes, you know, I see it, and sometimes, I'm pushing through," Brown explained, as shared by Nick Shook of the NFL's website. "But none of that stuff even matters. I'm out here, so I'm going."

In the Patriots' 26-19 win over the New York Jets on Oct. 18, New England quarterback Drake Maye targeted Brown 10 times in the receiver's first game back following the injury. However, Brown dropped catchable passes on multiple occasions that afternoon, and he finished the game with three receptions for 27 yards.

Brown then caught three passes on six targets for 48 yards in the 30-24 defeat at the Chicago Bears on Oct. 22 that dropped the Patriots to 4-3. New England next plays at the lowly Miami Dolphins (1-5) this coming Sunday. As of Thursday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Patriots as massive seven-point road favorites for that game. 

A.J. Brown not making excuses for his performances with the Patriots

"I'm year eight," Brown said about the expectations Patriots fans have had for him since the club acquired him from the Philadelphia Eagles this past spring. "I know I've been out a month, but none of that stuff even matters. I'm gonna continue to say it because I'm in it. I'm in it now, you know? And I gotta go out and compete. I gotta put one together."

While Brown's history suggests he'll eventually have a 100-yard, multi-touchdown game with the Patriots, his comments could lead one to wonder whether he'll be bothered by his ankle through January. He'll look to offer a response to such concerns when he takes the field at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium this weekend.