Add toughness and grit to the many talents A.J. Brown brings to the football field.
Monday’s training camp practice was closed to the public, but the spirited one-on-one battles between wide receiver Brown and cornerback Christian Gonzalez will again dominate the conversation.
Brown dislocates thumb, pops it back in
What made Monday special?
At one point in the session, Brown dislocated his thumb. He popped it back in and competed well for the remainder of practice. It had happened once before to Brown, back in college at Ole Miss, and he told Brian Baldinger on the NFL Network that he played the rest of the season without issue.
Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
“It was tough. I tried to get back into that flow-state zone really quickly because obviously you're going through some pain,” said Brown. “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. I’m going to do a little treatment on it, but obviously, ‘stim and ice.’ That’s what they say.”
Brown knows the work against Gonzalez continues to make him a better player.
Brown calls Gonzalez one of the NFL's best corners
“The margin for error (against Gonzalez) is so small. (Drake Maye and I) have to be on the same page, because he’s an excellent corner, maybe one of the best in the game, maybe the best in the game,” said Brown. “He’s giving me good work, and I’m giving him good work, and it’s back and forth.”
Brown, Gonzalez trade trash talk in camp duel
The two Pro Bowlers were letting the trash talk fly as well, all in good spirits.
“The talking is what it is. We know we have to come out and play … I physically want to impose my will each and every play. It’s not for everybody to understand,” said Brown. “That’s the mindset I’ve got to have when I’m out here. Honestly, I could care less if I’m misunderstood.”
