The ex-Charlton man recently underwent exploratory knee surgery to ascertain the extent of a troubling injury and has now been told that he will certainly miss the remainder of the campaign.
Although boss Steve Coppell had hoped that his recent selection worries would ease as several players embarked on comeback campaigns, today's news suggests there will be no end to the player availability nightmare.
Brown is suffering from a tear in his knee cartilidge and at present physio Jon Fearn does not know when the centre-back will be able to play football again.
"Steve's definitely out for this season and we'll see how he progresses in the next weeks. There are a few more opinions to listen to and some more investigations to be done," admitted Fearn, speaking to the official site.
So Brown will miss the final six games of the season, but the Royals will also have to do without Steve Sidwell at Bradford this Saturday as he is suspended. Long-term absentees Marcus Hahnemann, Nicky Shorey and Omar Daley are all also guaranteed to miss this weekend's game at Valley Parade.
However, captain Adie Williams and super striker Nicky Forster could make an appearance. The duo, who have both been sidelined for a lengthy period, will play for the reserves at Brighton this afternoon with a view to making a first team appearance at the weekend. Forster, arguably Reading's most influential player, has made just one first team appearance this year.
First team fringe players Lloyd Owusu, Dean Gordon, Kevin Watson and Bas Savage will be given a chance to impress at Brighton today as they bid to land one of the vacant first team positions.