The Patriots are staring at a longer wait than they first hoped for with A.J. Brown.
New England already had Brown on injured reserve after this weekend’s move following his high ankle sprain, which had been expected to cost him four weeks. But NFL Network is now reporting the injury may keep him out closer to six weeks, a tougher timeline for a receiver the Patriots just lost in his debut.
Brown got hurt in Wednesday’s Week 1 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, leaving the game in the third quarter after grabbing at his ankle. He finished with three catches for 26 yards before heading to the blue medical tent and then into the Patriots’ locker room. After the game, he was seen wearing a boot on his right foot.
"My understanding is the expectation is he misses six weeks," NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said on NFL GameDay Morning. "Generally, there are four-to-six (week injuries).
This is a little more serious. Six weeks, no surgery planned."
If that six-week estimate holds, Brown would miss the Patriots’ games against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Buffalo Bills, Las Vegas Raiders, New York Jets and Chicago Bears. His first possible return would come in Week 8 against the Miami Dolphins, with a Gillette Stadium debut possible the following week against the Green Bay Packers.
The injury comes at a time when New England’s receiver depth is suddenly worth watching. The Patriots entered the season with Brown, Romeo Doubs, Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams, DeMario Douglas and Efton Chism III after trading Kayshon Boutte to the Houston Texans.
But Brown’s absence, paired with Doubs’ quiet opener against Seattle - three targets and no receptions - leaves that group looking thinner over the next month. Kyle Dixon and Cameron Dorner are also on the practice squad.
Brown’s absence was felt immediately Wednesday night. With him sidelined, Drake Maye threw three interceptions in the fourth quarter.
"I haven't had a chance to see him," Maye said after the game. "I know he's dealing with what he's dealing with.
For A.J., he's going to fight hard to get back and whatever it is, I know he's going to want to get back out there quick. I think he's a competitor and he's going to help this football team for a lot of this year.
I'm looking forward to getting to see him and checking out how he's doing."
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Mike Vrabels first two offseasons have already given Patriots fans plenty to sort through, with a busy trade ledger that has helped reshape the roster in stages. Some of the deals have looked like clear wins, others have been more of a fine balance between cost and fit, and a few have landed in that frustrating middle ground where the logic made sense even if the return has not exactly stirred enthusiasm.
What makes the list interesting is how much of it is still being judged in real time, because several of the swaps hinge on players whose impact in New England remains limited so far. The draft capital attached to those moves matters too, since the Patriots have been working through a broader plan that blends immediate roster fixes with longer-term bets, and not every trade can be graded the same way when the results are still unfolding. [Read more 🡒]
Hunter Henry Is Closing In On Rare Patriots Company
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Drake Maye has made it clear Henrys influence reaches well beyond the routes he runs, praising him for the mentorship and leadership he brings to a young offense. With the Patriots dealing with A.J. Browns high-ankle sprain and the uncertainty that comes with moving pieces around a passing game, Henrys steadiness matters even more, and the next milestone is suddenly sitting right in front of him. [Read more 🡒]
Romeo Doubs Suddenly Has A Bigger Patriots Role Than Fans Expected
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Now the opportunity is opening faster than expected. A.J. Browns injury and likely move to injured reserve will force more of the passing-game burden onto Doubs in the coming weeks, giving the Patriots a chance to see whether the early misfire was just a rough debut or the start of a more important role. For a team still sorting out its offense, the next stretch could tell them plenty about how quickly Doubs can become a real asset. [Read more 🡒]