Boston – The New England Patriots suffered a setback in their season‑opening game on Wednesday night when star wide receiver A.J. Brown was forced to leave the field with an ankle injury. The incident occurred early in the second half, just as the Patriots were driving down the field in Seattle.
Injury details
During a third‑down attempt, Brown dropped to the turf to secure a pass from rookie quarterback Drake Maye. Cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett’s momentum carried him onto Brown’s right ankle, causing the veteran receiver to clutch his lower leg and remain on the ground. Patriots training staff, who had earlier been assessing tight end Hunter Henry for a possible head injury, rushed onto the field to attend to Brown.
After a brief evaluation, Brown was taken for X‑rays, as reported by the NBC broadcast. By the end of the third quarter, officials officially ruled him out for the remainder of the game. When reporters approached him after the final whistle, Brown was seen wearing a walking boot but walked under his own power to the sideline.
Game impact
At the time of the injury, Brown had already contributed three receptions for 26 yards and had drawn a crucial 34‑yard pass‑interference penalty on Seattle’s Josh Jobe, setting up the Patriots’ first‑half touchdown. The Patriots held a 7‑0 lead when the play unfolded.
Following Brown’s departure, the Patriots continued to move the ball, aided by a roughing‑the‑kicker penalty on Seattle during the ensuing punt. However, without Brown’s presence, the offense struggled to sustain momentum, and Seattle ultimately rallied to win 13‑10.
Recovery outlook
Team officials later announced that Brown was listed as “questionable” to return, pending further evaluation in the medical tent. The player was later seen heading toward the Patriots’ locker room for additional assessment. No definitive timeline was provided, but the team’s medical staff indicated that they would monitor the ankle closely and update his status before the next matchup.
What’s next for New England
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick praised Brown’s effort and professionalism, noting that the veteran’s early contributions helped set the tone for the offense. The team will now turn its attention to the upcoming schedule, hoping to adjust without one of its premier playmakers.
Seattle’s quarterback, also a rookie, capitalized on the Patriots’ defensive adjustments and guided his squad to a narrow victory, marking a promising start for the Seahawks as well.
Fans in both Boston and Seattle will be watching closely for updates on Brown’s condition, as his health could influence the Patriots’ offensive strategy moving forward.
Original reporting: NBC10 Boston — read the source article.
