Patriots expect A.J. Brown to miss six weeks with ankle injury
Wide receiver A.J. Brown was placed on injured reserve after a high-ankle sprain in the season-opening loss, and is projected to be sidelined for about six weeks.
Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown will miss roughly six weeks after sustaining a high-ankle sprain in the team's Week 1 defeat to the Seattle Seahawks, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reported Sunday. Brown was placed on injured reserve, which requires a minimum four-week absence, and the expected recovery period extends two weeks beyond that minimum.
The injury sidelines New England's top offseason acquisition for more than a quarter of the 2026 season. The Patriots face four former 2025 playoff teams in their next six games, including matchups against the Steelers, Jaguars, Bills, Raiders, Jets and Bears.
Brown recorded three receptions on four targets for 26 yards before exiting the Seahawks game, his first appearance after being traded from Philadelphia. With Brown unavailable, quarterback Drake Maye will need to rely more heavily on receivers Romeo Doubs, Mack Hollins, Demario Douglas and others.
New England (0-1) hosts the Pittsburgh Steelers in its next home game on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.