Patriots star AJ Brown has high ankle sprain as team suffers big blow after brutal Seahawks loss: reports
Maine News Now
Patriots’ star wide receiver A.J. Brown out for 3‑6 weeks after high ankle sprain
WASHINGTON, Aug. 8 – New England’s first game of the NFL season ended in a narrow 13‑10 defeat to the Seattle Seahawks, and the loss was compounded by a new injury to the team’s top target. A.J. Brown, who was acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles in the offseason, suffered a high ankle sprain in the third quarter and will miss an estimated three to six weeks, according to medical reports released Thursday.
Brown was trying to finish a pass on an incomplete throw when Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett’s knee collided with the receiver’s ankle, forcing it into the ground. The injury was confirmed by an MRI and the Patriots’ medical staff have ruled the player out of the remainder of the game and the upcoming Week 2 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
“We don’t know if he’ll be available going forward here for the next week, but we’ll see,” Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel said to reporters after the game. “Once we get the report, we’ll figure out what the treatment plan is.” The quotes come from an interview conducted Thursday, and they reflect the uncertainty surrounding Brown’s recovery timeline.
Brown’s limited production in the loss belied his impact on the offense. He hauled in three passes for 26 yards, including a 10‑yard reception that set up a defensive pass‑interference penalty leading to New England’s lone touchdown. He was initially listed as questionable for the game but was later ruled out after the injury. The wide receiver was the Patriots’ primary receiver at the start of the season, intended to be the main weapon for rookie quarterback Drake Maye.
The Patriots’ offseason move to bring Brown from the Eagles was part of a broader strategy to elevate the offense. Brown had a durable tenure in Philadelphia, missing only six games over four seasons and playing every game in two full 17‑game campaigns. New England hoped that he would become Maye’s No. 1 target and help the team move past the sluggish start to the season, which stands at 0‑1 after the Seattle loss.
With Brown sidelined, the Patriots will rely more heavily on the other receivers on the roster. The team signed Romeo Doubs to a four‑year, $68 million deal and has also added Mack Hollins, Demario Douglas and Kyle Williams to the depth chart. In the game, Maye had a tough outing, dropping a crucial pass on a second‑and‑14 in the fourth quarter that forced the ball into the air, followed by an interception on the same drive. The defensive pass interference on Brown had earlier allowed Maye to avoid a turnover, highlighting the importance of the receiving corps in New England’s offensive scheme.
The high ankle sprain is a serious injury that can sideline a player for a month or longer, depending on the severity. Brown’s status will be closely monitored as the Patriots prepare to face the Jaguars on the road in Week 2. The injury not only raises concerns about Brown’s availability but also forces the coaching staff to re‑evaluate their offensive game plan and player utilization.
New England’s management and medical teams have indicated that they will work with Brown to expedite his return, but the exact timeline remains uncertain. As the team looks ahead to the next game, the loss of their top receiver is a significant hurdle in a season that began with a loss and an injury. The Patriots will need to adapt quickly, leveraging the depth in their receiving group and the potential of rookie quarterback Drake Maye to keep the offense moving in the absence of A.J. Brown.
The Patriots will play the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday night at the TIAA Bank Field. The team’s performance in that game will be an early test of how well the offense can compensate for the loss of its marquee target.
