New Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown isn’t sweating the dislocated thumb he suffered in practice on Monday, saying, “You keep going” when he appeared on NFL Network.
The injury happened during a one-on-one red zone drill that Brown was going up against Pro Bowl corner Christian Gonzalez. Pats quarterback Drake Maye attempted to throw the ball to Brown in the left-hand corner of the end zone, but the receiver had peeled off the route and was looked at by team doctor Scott Martin and athletic trainer Jim Whalen shortly after, ESPN reported.
Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown catches a pass July 30 at training camp. AP Photo
But Brown did not miss a play and after practice he spoke with NFL Network about the moment.
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“It was tough. I tried to get back into that flow-state zone really quickly because obviously you’re going through some pain,” Brown said during the sitdown with Mike Garafolo and Brian Baldinger. “The game is what it is, you’re going to get bumps and bruises, and you have to keep going. I know it’s practice, but I’m not coming out of practice. Thumb out of place? You keep going.”
Brown added that he would receive “stim and ice” treatments for the dislocation of the thumb.
The wide receiver is in his first year with the Patriots after spending four seasons with the Eagles.
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Part of the adjustment to life in New England has been getting a better feel for Maye.
He told NFL Network that his timing with Maye had “started off a little slow.”
Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown (1) walks to the practice field with Mack Hollins (13) during the team’s NFL football training camp, Thursday, July 30, 2026. AP Photo
“Obviously because I’m going against Gonzo and [Maye] is getting to know me more and more. But as these practices have been going, me and him have been picking up very good momentum,” Brown said.
Brown is coming off a bit of a down year with the Eagles in 2025, but extended his streak to four straight seasons of at least 1,000 receiving yards.
