A.J. Brown is officially on injured reserve with a high-ankle sprain, a brutal gut punch for the New England Patriots after their 13-10 loss to our Seahawks in the season opener. The 29-year-old wide receiver is going to sit out at least the next four games, and honestly, it’s not a surprise when you look at how these things go. High-ankle sprains usually mean a 4-6 week recovery, so putting him on IR was the only smart play. Rushing him back would just be asking for trouble, and getting him ready for the games that really matter later in the season and for the playoffs is the real goal.
Four Games Without Their Top Target, And It’s Ugly
Brown’s absence comes at the absolute worst time for New England, hitting them right in the middle of a brutal early schedule. He’s going to miss some seriously tough contests. Get this: three of the next four opponents actually made it to the playoffs last season. First up, they’ve got the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 2. Then it’s two straight road games, hitting the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 3 and then the Buffalo Bills in Week 4. Playing the Bills in their new stadium was always going to be a huge challenge, but without Brown? That task just got even taller. They wrap up this stretch against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 5, a team that drafted first overall this April. The Bills, by the way, are expected to be right back in contention for the AFC East title this season. Oof.
New Face On The D-Line As Wideouts Face The Heat
Taking Brown’s spot on the 53-man roster isn’t another receiver, but a defensive lineman: 34-year-old free agent DaQuan Jones. He last played in Buffalo and just inked a one-year, $3.5 million deal. It’s a clear move to bolster the defense, but man, does it crank up the pressure on the rest of the Patriots’ receiving corps. Romeo Doubs, who they signed for four years and $68 million back in March, is suddenly the biggest name left on the active roster. Alongside him are DeMario Douglas, Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams, and Efton Chism III. Those guys need to step up big time, because the Patriots desperately need some offensive firepower to get their season rolling, especially after starting with that L against the Seahawks.
Next up, the Patriots face the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 2. With Brown sidelined and a playoff contender coming to town, the pressure is real for New England to find some answers. It’s going to be a true test of this team’s grit without their number one guy.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pats Pulpit.
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