New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown is expected to miss time after suffering a high-ankle sprain in his team debut. The three-time Pro Bowl receiver left Wednesday night’s 13-10 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the third quarter and did not return.
NFL Network insiders Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport first reported the preliminary diagnosis Thursday. X-rays came back negative for a fracture, and Brown underwent an MRI later in the day to determine the severity and a more precise timeline.
How A.J. Brown Got Hurt
The injury occurred on New England’s first possession of the second half. Quarterback Drake Maye targeted Brown on a third-down play. Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett broke up the pass and landed on the outside of Brown’s right ankle as the receiver went to the ground. Brown immediately grabbed his ankle, received treatment on the field and in the medical tent, then walked to the locker room. He was later seen in a walking boot.
Before exiting, Brown recorded three receptions for 26 yards on four targets. He also drew a 34-yard pass-interference penalty that set up the Patriots’ only touchdown of the night.
Mike Vrabel’s Latest Comments
Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel addressed reporters Thursday and confirmed Brown is still undergoing testing. Vrabel said he is not sure whether the receiver will be available for New England’s next game and that the team will have to monitor the situation closely. He added that no other Patriots injuries currently threaten missed time.
Typical High-Ankle Sprain Recovery Time in the NFL
A high-ankle sprain involves the syndesmotic ligaments that connect the tibia and fibula. These injuries often take longer to heal than a standard ankle sprain because the ligaments are stressed with every step and cutting motion. NFL players commonly miss two to six weeks, depending on the grade of the sprain.
The Patriots have a 10-day gap before their Week 2 home game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 20. That extra time could help Brown if the MRI shows a lower-grade sprain, but many high-ankle sprains still require multiple weeks of rest and rehabilitation. Placing Brown on injured reserve remains an option; doing so would require him to miss at least four games.
Impact on the Patriots Offense and Fantasy Football
Brown arrived in New England via an offseason trade from the Philadelphia Eagles and was expected to be Drake Maye’s top receiving threat. His absence will increase opportunities for Romeo Doubs, DeMario Douglas, and Mack Hollins. Hollins led the Patriots with 51 receiving yards after Brown left the game.
Fantasy managers should prepare for Brown to miss at least the Steelers game and possibly more. He is a candidate to land on injured reserve if the MRI confirms a significant sprain.
The Patriots will continue to evaluate Brown’s status in the coming days as MRI results become available. Updates from Garafolo, Rapoport, and the team will determine whether he can return sooner than the typical high-ankle sprain timeline.