Patriots’ Mike Vrabel reveals joking message he told A.J. Brown after dislocating thumb

New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown demonstrated remarkable toughness during Monday’s training camp practice. After suffering a dislocated left thumb during a red-zone drill against cornerback Christian Gonzalez, Brown chose not to head to the training room. Instead, he had his thumb popped back into place on the field, taped it up, and immediately rejoined the team. He ended the afternoon with four receptions and multiple touchdown passes from quarterback Drake Maye, showcasing why New England acquired him as their offensive centerpiece.

While fans and media admired Brown’s grit, head coach Mike Vrabel took a lighter approach when discussing the situation. As reported by The New York Times, Vrabel joked when asked about the injury scare: “I told him the linemen do that every other snap, and it’s not a national story when the linemen pop their fingers back into place,” he said with a chuckle. The head coach explained that while they had fun teasing the star wideout in the locker room, he genuinely appreciates the intensity and competitive spirit that Brown and Gonzalez bring to practice every day. Vrabel noted that the sight of elite players battling physically on every rep sets the standard for the entire roster as the team prepares for the 2026 season.

This competitive energy has quickly transformed New England’s offensive identity. Following the offseason acquisitions of Brown and Romeo Doubs, quarterback Drake Maye addressed concerns regarding an overcrowded receiving corps during an appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio. Maye dismissed any worries about target distribution, emphasizing that having elite playmakers like Brown sets the tone for the entire group and that a deep, competitive wide receiver corps is essential for a championship run.

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