A.J. Brown high ankle sprain will keep the New England Patriots’ new No. 1 receiver off the field for at least four weeks, according to reports Thursday. Brown left his debut early in the third quarter after injuring his right ankle while trying to haul in a low pass from quarterback Drake Maye, then was spotted in a walking boot postgame.
NFL Network reported that X-rays were negative for a fracture and that Brown is believed to have sustained a high ankle sprain. His return timeline could vary based on the severity of the sprain.
On the play, Brown’s ankle appeared to twist awkwardly as it was pinned between the turf and Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett. He was first listed as questionable to return, then ruled out.
A.J. Brown high ankle sprain details
High ankle sprains involve damage to the ligaments connecting the tibia and fibula, according to the Cleveland Clinic. They are graded on a scale of one to three, with Grade 1 considered the least severe, and recovery times can differ significantly depending on the grade.
After the game, Maye took responsibility for the throw that preceded the injury, saying he should have hit Brown in the chest. Safety Kevin Byard said he checked on Brown in the training room and that the receiver was in good spirits.
Before exiting, Brown had three receptions for 26 yards and drew a 34-yard pass interference penalty on a flea flicker. His impact was felt even with limited touches, but New England’s offense struggled to find rhythm throughout the game.
The Patriots fell 13–10 to the defending Super Bowl champions, with Maye throwing three interceptions, including a late pick in the end zone that ended a chance to tie and force overtime.
New England hosts its home opener Sept. 20 against Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the team may be without its WR1.
Brown landed in Foxborough this offseason after months of speculation about a trade from the Eagles. The deal became official on June 1 for financial reasons, with New England sending a 2028 first-round pick to Philadelphia.
The Patriots also bolstered the roster by signing Alijah Vera-Tucker and Romeo Doubs in free agency and drafting Caleb Lomu to add tackle depth. Doubs had a costly drop in the fourth quarter against Seattle, while Sam Darnold’s hip injury also shaped the Seahawks’ opener.
