The New England Patriots will be without their No. 1 wide receiver for the foreseeable future.
A.J. Brown was placed on injured reserve Friday due to the high ankle sprain he suffered in the third quarter of Wednesday’s Week 1 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. He will miss at least the next four games.
Brown’s absence will be a major blow to a Patriots team that planned to run its offense through the former Philadelphia Eagles star. New England traded a 2028 first-round draft pick and a 2027 fifth-rounder in exchange for Brown during the offseason.
Suddenly, the Pats’ wide receiver depth is much thinner without Brown and the recently traded Kayshon Boutte. Boutte was shipped to the Houston Texans in exchange for safety Jaylen Reed and a 2028 seventh-round pick last month.
Without Brown and Boutte, here’s what New England’s receiver room looks like:
- Romeo Doubs
- Mack Hollins
- DeMario Douglas
- Kyle Williams
- Efton Chism III
Brown will be eligible to return in Week 6 when the Patriots host the Jets on Oct. 18. However, some reports suggest Brown’s ankle injury could keep him sidelined for up to six weeks.
Quarterback Drake Maye and Co. will have their work cut out for them as they look to bounce back without Brown in Week 2 vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers. Kickoff for that matchup is set for 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Sept. 20 at Gillette Stadium.
