Patriots' A.J. Brown has career-high 3 dropped passes in return from injury

A rough return

A.J. Brown's comeback did not look like the player New England signed. The Patriots wide receiver returned Sunday for the first time since spraining his right high ankle in Week 1, and he dropped a career-high three passes as New England held off the Jets 26-19 in Foxborough. Brown was targeted 10 times and caught three passes for 27 yards. He played 52 of a possible 67 snaps, according to NFL Next Gen Stats, and came out of the game healthy.

One drop came on a deep ball from Drake Maye early in the second quarter that went through Brown's hands after he had created separation downfield. He also dropped a slant on third-and-5. Late in the fourth quarter, Brown couldn't hang onto an onside kick recovery attempt. Teammate Eli Raridon ended up falling on the ball instead.

Brown isn't making excuses

'My timing was off,' Brown said after the game. 'I'm much better than what I put on display today. There's no excuses.' He said he expects himself 'to make each one of those plays' regardless of the layoff.

'I have trust in my hands,' Brown said. 'I'll continue my process and continue daily catching and just keep going.' He added that dwelling on the drops does not help. 'You can't care about that and keep going,' he said.

Asked if the layoff affected his timing, Brown insisted there was no explanation beyond missed plays. 'I expect myself to make each one of those plays,' he said. 'I'm more than capable of making those catches.'

Maye and Vrabel still believe in him

Quarterback Drake Maye finished 18-of-32 for 235 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions, and he was not worried about his top target. 'It was great to see him back out there,' Maye said. 'He looks cool in the huddle.' He called Brown 'one of the best players on the field' and said the two will keep building their connection.

Coach Mike Vrabel acknowledged the day did not go the way Brown wanted. 'He could've probably made a few more plays,' Vrabel said. 'He's been out for a while.' Vrabel said Brown has 'high expectations for himself,' adding 'we have high expectations for him as well.' 'I'm confident that he'll come back and do a lot of things,' Vrabel said.

What's next

The Patriots are back on the field Thursday on the road against the Chicago Bears, and Brown said he plans to be ready. New England could be without fellow receiver Romeo Doubs, who left Sunday's game with a shoulder injury and did not return.

The Patriots do not have much time to find a fix. Brown said he will be ready to go Thursday, and New England will need him and Maye in sync fast on a short week, especially if Doubs cannot play.

Facts per ESPN, ESPN box score. Opinion is the taproom's.