The New England Patriots’ 2026 season kicked off in truly brutal fashion. They fell 13-10 to our Seattle Seahawks’ backup quarterback, with Drake Maye tossing three rough interceptions. But the worst news came right after: star offseason addition A.J. Brown got hurt, and it’s a serious high ankle sprain.
A.J. Brown Headed to Injured Reserve
This isn’t just a minor knock, folks. ESPN’s Adam Schefter confirmed the Patriots are placing Brown on injured reserve, which means he’s out for a minimum of four games. That’s a huge blow! He won’t be suiting up for Weeks 2, 3, 4, or 5, missing at least the entire month of September and into October. Schefter reported, “Sources: Patriots are placing wide receiver AJ Brown on injured reserve due to his high ankle sprain, sidelining him for a minimum of four games.” This puts Brown’s earliest return date at Week 6, when the Patriots are set to face the New York Jets on October 18. This definitely confirms fears his ankle sprain is more significant than some might have hoped.
Patriots Roster Left Scrambling
This injury is a brutal blow for the Patriots early in the year. Mate, their QB, will be without his top target for about a month. New England will have to lean on Mack Hollins, Romeo Doubs, DeMario Douglas, and Kyle Williams to pick up the slack until Brown is back. It’s a tough spot for them, and you know the 12s in Seattle are watching what happens next.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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