The Steelers haven’t even kicked off their 2026 season, and they may already have gotten a gift for Week 2.
Pittsburgh heads to Foxborough to face the Patriots, and New England’s Week 1 opener against Seattle brought a scare that could ripple into that matchup. Early in the third quarter, Patriots receiver A.J.
Brown went down while trying to make a catch. He grabbed at his right ankle, hobbled off, and was quickly ruled out.
Now there’s real concern that he could miss time.
That matters because Brown was supposed to be a major piece of New England’s offense. The Patriots paid a first-round pick to bring him over from the Eagles, and he arrives with four straight seasons of 1,000-1,500 yards and three Pro Bowls on his résumé. But even in a 13-10 loss to the Seahawks, the passing game looked shaky once he left.
Drake Maye had the roughest outing of his young career, throwing three interceptions and leaving New England unable to force overtime. Outside of Brown, the Patriots didn’t have much to lean on. Mack Hollins led the team with just 51 receiving yards, and Brown had 26 before the injury.
If Brown can’t play in Week 2, that could make life easier for Pittsburgh’s defense. That possibility carries extra weight if the Steelers still haven’t locked up Joey Porter Jr. to a long-term extension before the season and he chooses to hold out. Without Brown, a receiving group featuring Mack Hollins, Romeo Doubs, DeMario Douglas, and Kyle Williams looks a lot less intimidating.
The Steelers did beat the Patriots 21-14 last September, but that win came with five takeaways, including four fumbles lost by New England. Pittsburgh can’t count on that kind of turnover luck again.
Brown could still try to play, but even if he suits up, he’s unlikely to be at full speed after limping into the locker room. Soft-tissue injuries usually take time.
So while a road win in Foxborough is far from guaranteed, Brown’s injury may have handed the Steelers a Week 2 break they didn’t have to earn.
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Atlanta has not offered an official update, and for Pittsburgh the bigger question is whether the quarterbacks status changes by kickoff. The Falcons have already named Tagovailoa their starter for the opener, with Cooper Rush next in line if needed, but until there is more clarity, the Steelers will be preparing for a game plan that could hinge on how that back issue responds. [Read more 🡒]