New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel is keeping a cool head about the recent injury to star wide receiver A.J. Brown. During a one-on-one drill against Pro Bowl cornerback Christian Gonzalez, Brown suffered a dislocated thumb. But instead of hitting the panic button, Vrabel delivered a classic coach's response, complete with a smirk.
“I think he’s going to be OK,” Vrabel told reporters with a grin. “I told him the linemen do that every other snap, and it’s not a national story when a lineman pops his finger back in place. But we had a little bit of fun with that.”
The injury happened during a heated practice battle between Brown and Gonzalez, two of the best at their positions. Brown, a three-time Pro Bowler acquired in the offseason, didn't miss a beat—he popped his thumb back into place and kept competing. That competitive fire hasn't gone unnoticed by his coach.
“I appreciate what A.J. and Gonzo have done, just come in and compete and try to improve,” Vrabel said. “It’s been a good battle, and that’s pro football. I love watching it … When they’re out there, it sends a clear and easy message to the rest of the team about how we’re supposed to challenge and compete. I think it’s been a good competition.”
Brown echoed that sentiment, making it clear that a little pain isn't going to sideline him, especially during a critical training camp with his new team. “It was tough. I tried to get back into that flow-state zone really quickly because obviously you’re going through some pain,” Brown told NFL Network. “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.”
That mentality is exactly why the Patriots' coaching staff isn't worried. Brown's durability and toughness are well-documented, and his ability to shake off injuries bodes well for a team with high expectations in 2026. While other squads deal with camp injuries that derail promising seasons, the Patriots are breathing a sigh of relief.
Brown's injury is minor compared to some of the devastating setbacks seen around the league. And Vrabel's lighthearted take is a far cry from the panic that can grip a fanbase when a key player goes down. For now, it's all systems go for Brown, who remains on track to be the focal point of New England's passing attack.
As training camp rolls on, the Patriots will hope Brown's thumb heals quickly and that he can avoid any more nicks and bruises. With the regular season looming, keeping their star receiver healthy is paramount. And if Vrabel's reaction is any indication, there's no reason to sound the alarm just yet.
