New England Patriots receiver A.J. Brown revealed that he dislocated his thumb during practice Monday but chose to play through the injury.
"It was tough. I tried to get back into that flow-state zone really quickly because obviously you're going through some pain," Brown told NFL Network's Mike Garafolo and Brian Baldinger. "The game is what it is. You're going to get bumps and bruises, and you have to keep going.
"I know it's practice, but I'm not coming out of practice. Thumb out of place? You keep going."
The dislocation occurred during a one-on-one red-zone drill that pitted Brown against star cornerback Christian Gonzalez, according to ESPN's Mike Reiss.
The Patriots' team doctor and head athletic trainer reportedly came to check on Brown after the play. He then got his left thumb taped, returned to drills, and went on to catch two touchdown passes. It doesn't appear that the ailment will limit Brown going forward.
The 29-year-old said that he dislocated the same thumb during his time at Ole Miss in 2018, adding that he planned to use "stim and ice" to treat it.
The three-time Pro Bowler has set out to learn the Patriots' offense and build chemistry with quarterback Drake Maye after spending the past four seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles. Although Brown's connection with Maye has "started off a little slow," he said that "as these practices have been going, me and him have been picking up very good momentum."
Brown also dismissed the notion that he's carrying any animosity toward his former team ahead of the Patriots' upcoming joint practices against the Eagles prior to their Aug. 22 preseason matchup.
"It's not a game. It's practice," Brown said.
