Patriots place wide receiver A.J. Brown on injured reserve
The New England Patriots have moved A.J. Brown to injured reserve after an ankle injury in Week 1, sidelining him for at least four games.
The New England Patriots announced that wide receiver A.J. Brown has been placed on injured reserve following an ankle injury sustained during the team’s Week 1 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Brown recorded three receptions on four targets for 26 yards before exiting the game and was also involved in a pass-interference penalty that led to a Patriots touchdown.
Brown is expected to miss a minimum of four games, covering the upcoming matchups against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Buffalo Bills and Las Vegas Raiders. The Bills game in Week 4 is noted as a pivotal contest in the AFC East race.
If his recovery extends beyond the initial period, Brown could also be unavailable for the Patriots’ Week 6 meeting with the New York Jets, Week 7 at Chicago Bears, Week 8 at Miami Dolphins, and Week 9 against the Green Bay Packers.
The Patriots acquired Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles in June, trading a first-round pick in the 2028 draft and a fifth-round pick in the 2027 draft. The transaction suggests the Eagles retain a vested interest in the player’s performance against New England in future seasons.
The injury comes as the Patriots’ season opener did not meet expectations, with quarterback Drake Maye’s performance also drawing criticism.