A.J. Brown injury update as Patriots WR placed on injured reserve

The New England Patriots will have to get used to life without A.J. Brown.

Their prized offseason acquisition suffered an ankle injury during the team's Week 1 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on opening night. Further tests later revealed that Brown is dealing with a high-ankle sprain and his timeline for a return to play remained unclear.

The Patriots provided some indication of how long Brown will be out on Friday, Sept. 11. The team is placing the star receiver on injured reserve, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

It will sideline Brown for at least four games.

That means that Week 6 against the New York Jets is the earliest that he can return to play.

Brown will be sidelined for a minimum of four games after being placed on injured reserve. These are the games he will miss:

Multiple reports have indicated that Brown could be out about four-to-six weeks with the injury. If he only misses the minimum, Brown will be back in action for New England's Week 6 matchup against the New York Jets. If he is out six weeks, the star can look to Week 8 against the Miami Dolphins as his next game.

Doubs figures to be the headliner of the group, especially after inking a $68 million deal with New England in free agency. However, drop issues plagued the former Green Bay Packer in his Patriots debut – which played a big role in the Seahawks' comeback.

Drake Maye seemed to trust the remaining group of receivers that he already developed a rapport with. That especially rang true for Hollins, the player that Maye trusted most in the big moments in the opener.

It's not out of the question that Hollins becomes the most valuable receiver on the team in Brown's absence. However, the star's injury leaves New England with more questions than answers about its offense.

Brown was supposed to be the main weapon in the passing attack. Now his absence leaves big shoes to fill and no clear replacement.