NFL insider Tom Pelissero is reporting that A.J. Brown is “pushing hard” to be back on the field for the New England Patriots in Week 6 against the New York Jets, a surprisingly fast timeline for a high-ankle sprain he picked up against our very own Seattle Seahawks in Week 1. This isn’t just about one guy getting back to play; it’s a desperate move for an offense that looks totally lost right now.
The Seahawks Hit That Sent A.J. Brown To IR
Remember that Week 1 game against the Patriots? Looks like our boys made quite an impact! Brown, New England’s biggest offseason acquisition, only played 31 offensive snaps before suffering an ankle injury against the Seattle Seahawks. An MRI confirmed it was a high-ankle sprain, which immediately landed him on injured reserve. That meant he had to sit out at least the Patriots’ next four games.
Typical recovery time for an injury like that can range from one to six weeks, and a grade 2 sprain usually takes longer to heal. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the initial expectation was Brown would likely miss six weeks, which would keep him out all the way through Week 7. He’s technically eligible to be activated off IR and start practicing after the Patriots’ game against the Las Vegas Raiders on October 11, but pushing for Week 6 means he’s trying to shave off every possible day. Talk about urgency!
New England’s Offense Is In A Freefall
Brown’s insane desire to return as soon as humanly possible isn’t just about him being a tough player; it’s because the Patriots are straight-up sinking in the AFC. They’ve already lost two of their first three games and are staring down an undefeated Buffalo Bills squad this Sunday. Their offense? It’s been a disaster zone. The Patriots haven’t even cracked 20 points in a single game yet this season.
Their QB, Drake Maye, threw eight interceptions during the entire 2025 regular season. This year? He’s already tossed an NFL-high six picks through just three games. Yikes. And when it comes to pass-catchers, Mack Hollins leads the team with a paltry 12 receptions and 156 receiving yards. Nobody else on that squad has even hit double-digit catches. It’s a rough scene in Foxborough, and it’s easy to see why Brown feels like he has to be Superman and push his recovery.
The Patriots are facing the undefeated Buffalo Bills this Sunday, and if they can’t figure out how to put points on the board, that hole in the AFC is just gonna get deeper. Everyone’s gonna be watching to see if Brown’s intense push pays off by Week 6, or if this offense just keeps sputtering.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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