The New England Patriots made a huge offseason investment in A.J. Brown, expecting the wide receiver to become a big offensive weapon for the franchise. However, his debut season in New England has fallen short of expectations, as injury problems have prevented him from building chemistry with Drake Maye and the rest of the group.

Head coach Mike Vrabel confirmed during his Friday press conference that Brown would miss the matchup against the Green Bay Packers. His absence was the biggest takeaway from New England’s final injury report ahead of Week 9, as Brown has appeared in just three games this season.

Those ongoing injury struggles also prompted a blunt take from former Pro Bowler T.J. Houshmandzadeh.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh Questions Patriots’ A.J. Brown Trade After Injury Setback

Brown missed last Sunday’s game due to a knee injury and did not participate in practice at any point this week, having previously spent four games on injured reserve while recovering from an ankle injury, which continues to appear on his injury report.

Frustration, then, is understandable, given this was supposed to be the year the Patriots took a leap. His continued absence is a huge blow for New England’s offense, which currently ranks No. 11 in PFN Offense Impact Score with a 75.7 grade.

That is what prompted Houshmandzadeh to question the value of New England’s investment in Brown, saying Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman had managed to come out on top in the deal.

“They regret it already,” Houshmandzadeh said on the “Speakeasy” podcast. “They gave up a first-round pick for A.J. Brown. Howie Roseman, the swindler. He got him.

“So now, regardless of what A. J. Brown does moving forward, the Patriots, when you give up a first-rounder, you’re expecting big production this year, big production next year, and you ain’t even tripping off the first-rounder. You didn’t get the production this year. So now you don’t even care what happens next year.”

The star WR remains under contract through 2029.

Houshmandzadeh acknowledged that injuries are an unavoidable part of professional football, with every player facing the possibility of missing time. However, he said that Brown’s recurring problems should raise some red flags in Foxborough.

Houshmandzadeh also offered Brown some advice regarding his playing weight.

“But A.J. Brown, you got to lose weight,” Houshmandzadeh said. “As you get up in age in the National Football League, and again, they say his listed weight is 230 pounds. I don’t know what it is. But bro, you can lose weight. Go and play at about 212-215. That should be your max.

“Football is a game of movement. It is not a game of size… And so if you’re able to drop some weight, that’s going to take some pressure off your knees, and you’re probably going to feel better.”

Brown has recorded nine receptions for 101 receiving yards in his appearance in three games for the Patriots this season.