AJ Brown’s night ended in worrying fashion Monday, and the New England Patriots are now waiting on the results.
The star wide receiver left the season opener against the Seattle Seahawks after suffering what appeared to be a lower leg or ankle injury. The hit came on a key third-down play, when Brown went down hard after an incomplete pass and trainers sprinted onto the field to check on him. He stayed down for a few tense moments, showing clear discomfort around his lower leg before getting back to his feet.
Even after rising, Brown could not shake the injury. He hobbled off the field with a noticeable limp, and the Patriots listed him as questionable to return. He was later reported to have gone to the x-ray room.
Before leaving, Brown had three catches on four targets for 26 receiving yards.
His exit only made an already rough night tougher for New England. Tight end Hunter Henry had also gone to the locker room earlier with an injury concern, leaving rookie quarterback Drake Maye with even less help on offense. Brown was expected to be the centerpiece of the passing game after being traded to New England this offseason, and if the injury costs him significant time, the Patriots will be in a difficult spot.
The game had already taken another hit when Sam Darnold left with a hip injury. On the second play of the game, he took an awkward tackle from behind, and he was ruled out just before halftime.
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DreMont Jones Just Turned A Painful Patriots Hit Into Drama
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Mike Macdonald later said there is no fracture, which at least cleared away the worst-case concern, but it did not answer the bigger question for Seattles season. Darnolds recovery timeline is still uncertain, and for a team trying to settle in early, the status of its quarterback now looms over everything that came out of an otherwise routine defensive play. [Read more 🡒]