Brown, who hurt his shoulder in round two against the Sydney Swans, has been playing in the VFL after missing two weeks.
With Nick Maxwell and Alan Toovey among those set to return this week, Brown has again missed out along with Taylor Adams and Ben Kennedy.
Ruckman Brodie Grundy said Brown had handled well being one of a few squeezed out of the team.
And he felt the team was better placed than 12 months ago.
"It has been a massive plus with all the fitness and strength of the team," Grundy said on Wednesday as the team departed Melbourne.
"Our list at the moment is in a really strong place compared to last year - and teams like Geelong and Hawthorn, they have really strong VFL teams.
"This year, we have a lot of senior AFL players playing in the VFL.
"It's something that will make us better; at training, it's really competitive and it's just going to hold us in good stead heading into the end of the year.
"Our leadership has really grown a lot this year and it's been a real testament to the way Browny's gone about his footy."
A squad of 24 flew to Adelaide ahead of Thursday night's sold out blockbuster against the Crows at Adelaide Oval.
Sam Dwyer, Alex Fasolo and Clinton Young were among the travelling party.
Maxwell (back) and Young (calf) were late withdrawals from the Pies' last game, the 34-point win over Carlton nearly two weeks ago.
Dwyer hurt his knee against the Blues while Fasolo last played on Anzac Day against Essendon, when he developed soreness in his toe and foot.
Toovey missed the Carlton game with a hamstring.
Grundy said the bye had come at a good time for many Pies, including himself, given the physical nature of his role.
The South Australian, who spent time in Adelaide last week, said he was excited about the prospect of playing his first game in his home state, and at the refurbished Adelaide Oval under lights.
"I've been looking forward to this game – I marked it out on the calendar when I saw the fixture and I'm lucky enough to play this week," he said.
"It's going to be a good to play in front of some of my family and friends back home.
"I wasn't a massive cricket fan growing up but I did get down to a few games at Adelaide Oval.
"I saw the Port versus Melbourne game that time and I've played a couple of SANFL games there, but from all the talk the new ground is in really good nick and I look forward to having a crack out there."
Grundy said the Pies would be wary of the Crows' talented midfielders on Thursday night. They were a strong team at the stoppages, both offensively and defensively.
He said the Pies' pressure would make the game a strong contest, but the expected return of Taylor Walker from a knee reconstruction wasn't something he was thinking about.
"I've just looked at Sam Jacobs and guys I'll be playing against," Grundy said.
"Obviously he's a really good player and they'll be happy to get him back.
"I think he played a few games (in the SANFL) and he's done well, kicked a few goals, so he's going to add some real depth to their forward line."
