A.J. Brown (ankle/knee) to join Pats in Germany

New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown is expected to make the trip to Munich for Sunday's Week 10 game against the Detroit Lions at Allianz Arena, head coach Mike Vrabel told reporters Monday. "I think that's the plan," Vrabel said. "Certainly we haven't ... there's no decision on that, but I would imagine that's the plan to try to continue to get guys back that can get back and be healthy and help the football team. That's the goal." Vrabel later said Brown "probably won't make it" to Germany this week, creating uncertainty about the receiver's availability.

Brown has missed six games this season. He sat out four games after suffering a high ankle sprain during the season opener against the Seattle Seahawks, returned for games against the Chicago Bears and New York Jets, but then a knee issue flared up causing him to miss games against the Miami Dolphins and Green Bay Packers. Sunday's 24-14 loss to the Packers marked the sixth game Brown has missed.

The Patriots are traveling a day earlier than usual for international games, with a walkthrough planned for Thursday and practice Friday in Munich. Vrabel said the team is considering activating guard Greg Van Roten from injured reserve. "That's something that we'll look at," Vrabel said. "He's eligible and has been working hard to get back, so we'll take a look at that and see where he is tomorrow or Wednesday when we practice."

Running back Rhamondre Stevenson, left tackle Will Campbell, and center Ben Brown left Sunday's game with knee injuries. Campbell told reporters after the game he felt good and could have returned if the score hadn't been so lopsided. Vrabel did not have an update on Stevenson, who logged six carries for 32 yards before exiting. "We're wearing out the MRIs," Vrabel said. "So, we're still waiting on some of those results."

With the trade deadline set for 4 p.m. Tuesday, Vrabel was asked whether he'd like the team to strike a deal for more depth. "I want to see us do anything that we can with the roster that we have or potentially guys that aren't here to continue to improve, and that's the focus there," Vrabel said. The Patriots are 5-4 and second in the AFC East behind the Buffalo Bills. If the season ended today, New England would be the No. 7 seed in the AFC. Vrabel said he views his team as a contender: "We're 5-4. I think there are going to be a lot of contending teams that are 5-4. I think that's the nature of the National Football League. We've got to draw a line here, and now we've got to think that we're 0-0 and we've got to start putting ourselves in position to play meaningful games in January or after."

Cornerback Christian Gonzalez acknowledged he had a bad game against the Packers and is focused on a better performance against the Lions. Gonzalez missed games against the Bills and Las Vegas Raiders because of a shoulder injury before returning in Week 6 against the Jets. Vrabel said Gonzalez's struggles come down to "answering the challenge" and expressed confidence he will bounce back. "You can't take a nap in this league," Vrabel said. "You have to be wherever the receivers are, especially the good ones. You have to play with great technique. You have to challenge when you can."