A.J. Brown is expected to be out about six weeks after suffering a high ankle sprain in New England’s season-opening defeat, leaving the Patriots without their biggest offseason addition for a demanding early stretch.
Key takeaways
- Brown was placed on injured reserve and will miss longer than the four-game minimum required by the designation.
- The veteran wide receiver was hurt during Wednesday’s loss to Seattle in Week 1.
- He produced three receptions for 26 yards on four targets before leaving his Patriots debut.
- New England faces four 2025 playoff teams over its next six games.
- The 0-1 Patriots will open their home schedule against the Pittsburgh Steelers next Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.
Brown’s absence reshapes New England’s offense
The timetable means Brown is likely to be sidelined for more than one-quarter of the 2026 regular season. His injured reserve move guaranteed at least four missed games, but the current expectation would keep him out for two additional weeks.
Brown arrived in New England in an offseason trade with Philadelphia and immediately became the club’s premier new target. His first appearance for the Patriots ended early, though he still accounted for three of quarterback Drake Maye’s four throws in his direction and finished with 26 receiving yards.
With Brown unavailable, Maye will need greater production from the rest of the receiving group, including Romeo Doubs, Mack Hollins and Demario Douglas. The Patriots will have to adjust while trying to avoid an early-season slide after opening 0-1.
Challenging slate begins with Pittsburgh
New England’s upcoming run includes meetings with several teams that reached the playoffs in 2025. The Patriots’ next six opponents are the Steelers, Jaguars, Bills, Raiders, Jets and Bears, with the Pittsburgh, Las Vegas and New York games scheduled for Foxborough.
The immediate focus is Pittsburgh, which visits New England next Sunday for the Patriots’ home opener. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET.
SEO Title: Patriots WR A.J. Brown Expected to Miss Six Weeks With Ankle Injury
SEO Description: New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown is expected to miss roughly six weeks after a Week 1 high ankle sprain, beginning with Sunday’s game against Pittsburgh.
