The New England Patriots have received some difficult news regarding A.J. Brown, as the star wide receiver’s ankle injury appears to be more serious than initially feared.
Brown suffered the injury during Wednesday night’s season opener against the Seattle Seahawks, and the latest update could have a major impact on New England’s offense moving forward.
Brown expected to miss at least four games
Brown has been diagnosed with a high ankle sprain, and the Patriots have placed him on injured reserve. That means he will miss at least four games before he is eligible to return. The earliest Brown can return is Week 6 against the New York Jets.
The injury occurred early in the third quarter when Brown’s ankle became trapped awkwardly underneath a Seahawks defender while he attempted to make a catch. He initially went to the medical tent before being ruled out for the remainder of the game.
Brown finished his Patriots debut with three catches for 26 yards on four targets, while also drawing a crucial 34-yard pass interference penalty that helped set up New England’s lone touchdown.
Major blow for Drake Maye and Patriots offense
This is a significant setback for a Patriots offense that expected Brown to immediately become its No. 1 receiving option.
New England acquired the three-time Pro Bowler from Philadelphia during the offseason, hoping his combination of size, speed and big-play ability would give Drake Maye another elite weapon. Brown’s absence now forces the Patriots to adjust almost immediately.
Mack Hollins, Romeo Doubs, DeMario Douglas and Kyle Williams are among the receivers expected to see increased opportunities while Brown is sidelined. Hollins could be particularly important after stepping into Brown’s role following the injury in Week 1.
The Patriots already struggled to consistently move the football in their 13-10 loss to Seattle, and losing Brown for at least a month makes the challenge even greater.
New England made Brown one of the centerpieces of its 2026 offense. Now, the Patriots will have to find a way to replace their biggest receiving weapon for at least the first month of the season.
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