A.J. Brown reportedly suffered a high-ankle sprain in the Patriots’ season-opening loss to the Seahawks in Seattle. ESPN and the NFL Network report that X-rays showed no fracture and that Brown will undergo an MRI Thursday to determine how many games he may miss. The Patriots are expected to be without their newly acquired receiver for at least a few weeks. Brown had three catches for 26 yards on four targets in his abbreviated Patriots debut.
Medical update: imaging and next steps
The injury has been identified as a high-ankle sprain. Initial X-rays were negative for fracture, and the team has scheduled an MRI on Thursday that will be used to establish the extent of the damage and the recovery timeline. Those diagnostic details were relayed by ESPN and the NFL Network as the immediate medical picture developed.
Brown reportedly suffered a high-ankle sprain in the season-opening loss in Seattle; X-rays did not show a fracture, and he is scheduled to undergo an MRI that should help determine how many games he may miss.
On-field impact for the short term
Brown’s debut for his new team lasted only into the third quarter: he finished with three catches for 26 yards on four targets in the abbreviated outing. With his status uncertain pending the MRI, offensive rotations look set to change for upcoming games.
Some reports said Brown could be sidelined for at least a few weeks. X-rays came back negative for a fracture, and expectations are that Romeo Doubs and Mack Hollins would start in two-receiver sets in his stead while second-year receiver Kyle Williams could see an expanded role.
Coaching staff and medical personnel will use the MRI to decide whether Brown can return quickly or requires a more cautious, multi-week rehabilitation approach. Until that evaluation is complete, game plans will need to be prepared without a definitive target for Brown’s availability.
The immediate certainty is limited: a confirmed high-ankle sprain, no fracture on X-ray, and an MRI scheduled to set the recovery timeline. The club’s short-term receiving alignment and play-calling will hinge on that scan and the medical report that follows.
