Major A.J. Brown Injury Update Emerges After Patriots Debut
The New England Patriots will be without star wide receiver A.J. Brown for at least the next four weeks after placing him on the injured reserve due to a high ankle sprain.
An MRI revealed the injury, while an X-ray showed no fracture to his ankle. The injury designation will force him to miss the next four games, starting with the home opener on Sept. 20 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, followed by road games against the Jacksonville Jaguars and Buffalo Bills.
The Patriots will then host back-to-back home games against the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Jets.
The injury occurred in the season-opening loss to the Seattle Seahawks after he attempted to catch a pass from Drake Maye, and Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett’s right knee and body weight landed on Brown’s ankle.
His absence will place a significant workload on the rest of the Patriots’ passing game. Brown was expected to step in as New England’s primary target for Maye, but it now shifts over to Mack Hollins, Hunter Henry, and Romeo Doubs filling that void.
Doubs struggled in his Patriots debut, dropping a crucial late-game pass and finishing without a catch against the Seahawks. He had inked a four-year, $68 million deal in free agency this past offseason.
Want $250 to bet on the NFL?
The Patriots may also turn to DeMario Douglas, Kyle Williams, and Efton Chism III to help provide production.
New England acquired Brown on June 1 in exchange for a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round selection.
