New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown suffered a high-ankle sprain and left Wednesday’s 13-10 season-opening loss to the Seattle Seahawks wearing a walking boot. Brown will undergo an MRI to determine his return timeline as the Patriots prepare for a Week 2 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Injury in the Third Quarter Against Seattle
The New England Patriots debuted their prized wide receiver on Wednesday, but the opening contest ended with a major health scare. A.J. Brown sustained a high-ankle sprain during the third quarter of a defensive 13-10 battle against the Seattle Seahawks, as Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL network reported.
The injury occurred while Brown battled with Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett to catch an incomplete pass. Brown stayed on the field for several moments before heading to the sidelines. Before his exit, he hauled in three of his four targets for 26 yards and drew a 34-yard pass interference penalty in the second quarter that set up the team’s only touchdown of the game.
Locker Room Sights and Postgame Encouragement
Following the loss, the scene outside the visitors locker room presented a worrying picture for the franchise. Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald reported that Brown was spotted leaving the locker room wearing a walking boot on his right foot. Broadcast coverage also confirmed that Brown underwent X-rays after leaving the field.
Despite the physical setback and the dispiriting loss, teammates noted that Brown maintained an upbeat attitude behind closed doors. Wide receiver Romeo Doubs shared details of the postgame locker room conversation with reporters.
Doubs added that he was glad Brown is doing well, while defensive captain Kevin Byard similarly noted that the star wideout remained in good spirits despite the injury.
Weighing the Cost of a Blockbuster Trade
The Patriots acquired Brown in a blockbuster trade with the Philadelphia Eagles on June 1, sending a 2028 first-round draft pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick to Philadelphia.
Expectations for Brown’s 2026 campaign ran high following a four-year stint with the Eagles where he racked up 5,034 receiving yards and 32 touchdowns. He has largely avoided significant missed time recently, appearing in 62 of 68 regular-season games over the past four seasons, though hamstring issues did sideline him for four contests during the 2024 season.
Shuffling Depth Chart Options Without Brown
Without their primary target, the New England offense struggled to generate momentum in the second half against Seattle. Reserve wideout Mack Hollins stepped up with three catches after halftime, including a fourth-down conversion on the final drive, though his evening ended when he was targeted on Drake Maye’s game-sealing end-zone interception with under a minute remaining.
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The offensive rotation now faces a demanding stretch. Romeo Doubs admitted the Patriots would need “a plan” to navigate the weeks ahead without their new No. 1 wideout. Head coach Mike Vrabel offered no immediate update on Brown’s status during his postgame press conference, telling reporters he did not have fresh information.
Next Steps on the Injury Timeline
Medical evaluations will dictate how long the star wide receiver remains sidelined. Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo noted that Brown will undergo an MRI to clarify the exact severity of the ankle sprain and establish a definitive return timeline.
Head coach Mike Vrabel is scheduled to speak with the media at 2 p.m. on Thursday, an address that could bring more clarity on whether the receiver will miss extended time. The team must quickly adjust its depth chart—currently featuring Doubs, Hollins, DeMario Douglas, Efton Chism III, and Kyle Williams—ahead of the home opener scheduled for September 20 against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Gillette Stadium.
