The New England Patriots are traveling to Germany to face off against the Detroit Lions in an international Week 10 matchup this weekend.

The Patriots have been without No. 1 wide receiver weapon A.J. Brown for much of their 2026 campaign after acquiring him in a blockbuster trade with the Philadelphia Eagles this past offseason.

Brown suffered a high ankle sprain early in the team's Week 1 Super Bowl rematch against the Seattle Seahawks, causing him to miss the next five games. Due to lingering issues with the ankle and a knee injury flareup, he also missed this past Sunday's loss to the Green Bay Packers.

When speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel confirmed that Brown will travel with the team to Munich. However, he said that doesn't necessarily mean the superstar wide receiver will play.

“I would say almost everybody, but a few guys, are gonna go to Germany. I’m including him in the group that would go," Vrabel said. "There are guys who will go to Germany who won't play."

The Patriots enter their bye week after Sunday's matchup against the Lions. If New England elects to err on the side of caution, the bye would give Brown another full week of rest before Week 12's matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers.

If Brown is unable to go on Sunday, quarterback Drake Maye will continue to lean on DeMario "Pop" Douglas as the team's leading wide receiver option. Mack Hollins also made his return from the injured reserve in Sunday's Week 9 loss to the Packers.

Sunday's international clash against the Lions will kick off at 9:30 a.m. ET from Munich.