Patriots WR A.J. Brown ruled out with high ankle sprain, expected to miss at least 4 weeks

An MRI on Thursday confirmed that Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown suffered a high ankle sprain during the season opener against Seattle on September 10, 2026. Brown is expected to miss at least four weeks, per CBS Sports.

Brown suffered the injury during the third quarter while attempting to pluck a low throw from Drake Maye. His ankle bent awkwardly when trapped between the ground and Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett. Brown was initially ruled questionable to return before being ruled out and was seen wearing a walking boot on his right foot after the game. X-rays did not reveal a fracture, per CBS Sports.

A high ankle sprain involves tearing or damaging the high ankle ligaments that connect the tibia to the fibula. The severity of Brown's sprain, measured in grades 1 through 3, will significantly impact his recovery timeline beyond the four-week minimum.

Brown had three catches for 26 yards at the time of his departure. Earlier in the game, he drew a 34-yard pass interference penalty on an underthrown Maye pass off a flea flicker, setting up the Patriots' opening touchdown. Coach Mike Vrabel said before results of the MRI were known, "I know he'll do everything that he can to get back as quickly as possible."

Veteran Mack Hollins took over the majority of Brown's role on Wednesday after he left the game. The Patriots' depth at receiver includes Pop Douglas in the slot, second-year players Kyle Williams and Efton Chism III, and Romeo Doubs, who signed a four-year, $68 million free agent contract in the offseason. Doubs had a costly drop in the fourth quarter of the season opener. The Patriots traded former starter Kayshon Boutte to the Houston Texans before the season, citing receiver as one of the team's deepest positions in training camp.

The Patriots acquired Brown from Philadelphia on June 1 in exchange for a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick. His absence coincides with Drake Maye's development as he enters his second year as the team's starting quarterback. New England's next game is a home opener on September 20 against Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers.