What happened: The New England Patriots listed wide receiver A.J. Brown as questionable for Sunday's matchup against the Detroit Lions in Munich. Brown is managing knee and ankle injuries heading into the international contest. He participated in team walkthrough sessions this week in Germany after traveling with the club.
Why it matters: New England enters the contest at 5-4, holding the No. 7 seed in the AFC playoff race following a 45-27 defeat against Green Bay. Sidelining Brown would remove a primary target against a 6-2 Lions team that leads the NFL in fourth-down touchdowns under Dan Campbell. Securing an overseas victory remains critical for the Patriots to protect their postseason position.
By the numbers: New England is 5-4 through nine games in 2026, holding the AFC's No. 7 seed. The Patriots surrendered 45 points in their prior loss to Green Bay, while the Lions enter at 6-2 on the season.
What to watch: Official inactives will be announced 90 minutes before Sunday's kickoff in Munich. New England will evaluate Brown during pregame warmups before determining his availability.