The Patriots now know what they feared after Wednesday night.
A.J. Brown suffered a high-ankle sprain in New England’s 13-10 loss to Seattle and is expected to miss at least four weeks, according to NFL Network and multiple reports. The injury was confirmed by MRI after initial X-rays ruled out a fracture.
Brown was injured early in the third quarter when Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett landed on the outside of his right ankle while breaking up a pass. Brown immediately grabbed the ankle, limped to the medical tent and did not return.
Before leaving, Brown had caught three passes on four targets for 26 yards. He also drew a 34-yard defensive pass-interference penalty that set up New England’s only touchdown.
What Does the Timeline Mean?
A four-week absence would likely keep Brown out through most or all of New England’s upcoming games against Pittsburgh, Jacksonville and Buffalo, with his return potentially landing around early October depending on how the ankle responds. The Patriots’ next game is Sept. 20 against the Steelers.
Mike Vrabel was more cautious publicly Thursday, saying Brown would continue undergoing testing and that the team would provide another update next week.
That means the reported four-week timetable should be treated as an early estimate rather than a guaranteed return date.
How Do the Patriots Replace Him?
They do not replace Brown with one player.
Romeo Doubs should become the primary outside receiver, while DeMario Douglas figures to see more targets from the slot. Mack Hollins should also take on a larger role, especially after catching four passes for 51 yards in the opener.
Hunter Henry and the rest of the tight-end group could become even more important over the middle.
The larger concern is what Brown’s absence does to the structure of the offense.
Seattle had to account for him physically on the perimeter before the injury. Without Brown, the Patriots lose their best contested-catch receiver and the player most capable of forcing defenses to tilt coverage toward one side.
That places even more responsibility on Drake Maye.
This is a significant early-season setback, but it is not the worst-case scenario.
Brown avoided a fracture and, based on the current reporting, should be able to return this season without an extended IR-level absence.
The Patriots now have to survive the next month without the receiver they acquired specifically to change the ceiling of their offense.
New England spent the offseason building more depth at wide receiver.
It is about to find out how much that depth actually matters.
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