A.J. Brown's status for Patriots' game against Lions in Germany uncertain amid Week 9 absence

The New England Patriots haven't benefited much from the A.J. Brown trade yet. 

On Friday, Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel announced that Brown would miss Week 9 against the Green Bay Packers with a knee and ankle injury. 

Brown has played just three games so far for New England, catching nine passes for 101 yards with zero touchdowns. 

After Vrabel announced that Brown would miss the game in Week 9, a question was asked about his Week 10 status, especially since New England is facing the Detroit Lions in Germany, via Mark Daniels of MassLive. 

"I'm not sure yet. I'll focus on this week and what that looks like," Vrabel said when asked if the Patriots need to make a decision on Brown sooner. 

Brown last played on Oct. 22 against the Chicago Bears. He missed the previous game against the Miami Dolphins, and he didn't practice this week, either. 

When will A.J. Brown return? 

Brown's return is up in the air. He has missed five straight practices, and with New England leaving for Germany on Wednesday, it remains to be seen if Brown will even be ready for that game. 

ESPN's Mike Reiss suggested that maybe the Patriots are going to hold Brown out until after the bye week. 

So far, Brown hasn't contributed much on the field, and his best game came against the Bears, when he had three catches for a season-high 48 yards. 

The Patriots are 5-3 and staying alive in the AFC East, and the hope is that Brown can return to his Pro Bowl form sooner rather than later, although there are plenty of questions regarding the former Philadelphia Eagles star.