The season is underway, and the New England Patriots are battling the Seattle Seahawks in the season opener. Seattle lifted its Super Bowl banner and officially began its title defense Wednesday night.
However, after Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold suffered a hip injury five plays into the game, another big injury has emerged. Darnold is out for the game, while Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown was banged up early in the second half.
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On a third-down play, quarterback Drake Maye and Brown were unable to connect to keep the drive alive. , creating immediate concern for New England.
AJ Brown concern for right high ankle eversion sprain. Hard to continue effectively — David J. Chao – ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc)
Brown’s status currently unknown
Prior to his injury in the third quarter, Brown was connecting well with Maye. He reeled in three receptions for 26 yards as the Patriots carried a 7-0 lead into halftime.Brown entered the season with significant expectations after New England acquired him from the Philadelphia Eagles in a blockbuster offseason trade. The Patriots sent a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick to Philadelphia for the three-time Pro Bowl receiver.
The move also reunited Brown with head coach Mike Vrabel. Brown spent the first three seasons of his career with Vrabel in Tennessee after the Titans selected him in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
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Brown also arrived in New England as a proven championship contributor. He helped the Eagles win Super Bowl LIX two seasons ago and entered 2026 having recorded at least 1,000 receiving yards in six of his first seven NFL seasons. He finished the 2025 campaign with 78 receptions for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns.
For now, New England will have to wait for more information on Brown’s injury and whether he can return to the game.
UPDATE
Per the NBC broadcast, Brown is now questionable to return with an ankle injury.— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter —
