Weeks before the Eagles traded receiver A.J. Brown to the Patriots, the Rams were exploring making a deal for Brown — while also potentially trading receiver Davante Adams to a new team.

The Rams opted not to pursue a trade for Brown, given concerns about a lingering knee issue.

The situation didn’t prompt the Patriots to shy away, and it’s a knee issue that popped up this week for Brown, who is out for the Week 8 game at Miami.

While neither the knee that caused the concern nor the knee that became a problem this week have been specified, the reporting indicates that “Brown had a knee issue flare up this week.” The use of “flare up” suggests it was an existing situation that in some way deteriorated.

A Week 1 ankle injury put Brown on injured reserve. For the year, he has nine catches for 101 yards in three games, with no touchdowns.