Patriots make decision on A.J. Brown after tough injury vs. Seahawks - Patriots Wire

The New England Patriots have placed wide receiver A.J. Brown on injured reserve after he suffered a high ankle sprain in the team’s season opener against the Seattle Seahawks, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, which will keep him out for a minimum of four weeks.

Brown hurt his ankle in the third quarter of New England’s 13-10 loss to Seattle on Wednesday night. He finished his New England debut with three receptions for 26 yards before exiting. His longest reception was for 14 yards.

The Patriots traded for Brown in the offseason to be the team’s new No. 1 receiver. He completed the 2025 regular season with 78 receptions for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles. Last season marked the sixth time that Brown recorded 1,000 receiving yards in a season in his career.

Brown’s absence leaves New England without its primary playmaker in the receiving game for the next few weeks. The Patriots will look to Romeo Doubs to step in as the new top receiving option in Brown’s place, with Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams, DeMario Douglas and tight end Hunter Henry in line to help fill the void while he’s out.

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