Patriots' A.J. Brown has career-high 3 drops in return - ESPN

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown had a shaky return to action Sunday, dropping a career-high three passes in the team's 26-19 win over the New York Jets that also included his muffed onside kick recovery attempt that was corralled by teammate Eli Raridon late in the fourth quarter.

«My timing was off. I'm much better than what I put on display today. There's no excuses. I'll be better,» said Brown, who was targeted 10 times and totaled just three receptions for 27 yards.

«I expect myself to make each one of those plays. I'm more than capable of making those catches.»

Brown, who played 52 of a possible 67 snaps, according to NFL Next Gen Stats, relayed that he came out of the game healthy after returning from a right high ankle sprain sustained in Week 1.

Asked if coming back from injury impacted him, Brown repeated there were no excuses.

«Regardless of whether I was sitting down or I've been going, I expect myself to make each one of those plays,» he said.

Among the plays Brown noted he should have made was a beautiful deep pass from quarterback Drake Maye early in the second quarter that sailed through his hands after Brown had created separation. He also had a drop on a slant on third-and-5.

«I have trust in my hands,» Brown said. «I'll continue my process and continue daily catching and just keep going. You can't care about that and keep going.»

Brown added he will be ready to go in Thursday's road game against the Chicago Bears, when the Patriots might be without fellow top receiver Romeo Doubs, who departed Sunday's game with a shoulder injury and didn't return.

Maye, who finished 18-of-32 for 235 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions, expressed optimism that he'll be