Patriots fans received a sobering update on wide receiver A.J. Brown after his high‑ankle sprain forced the team to place him on injured reserve on Friday. The 29‑year‑old made his New England debut in Seattle, playing only 31 minutes before exiting on the opening drive of the second half.

Injury outlook and concerns

Brown is expected to miss at least the next four games, though he could return later in the season. Patriots insider Phil Perry warned that the injury raises “major concern” about the type of player the Patriots will get back. Perry asked whether Brown will need surgery to reattach the ligament to the bone, noting that high‑ankle injuries can take a long time to heal.

“I just look at the player himself and wonder if we’ll get the A.J. Brown we thought we were getting for the rest of 2026,” Perry said on the Next Pats Podcast, rating his concern level a 9 out of 10.

Impact on the receiving corps

With defenses now having a full year of tape on quarterback Drake Maye, the Patriots are expected to adjust their game plans. Perry explained that losing Brown’s talent edge could level the playing field for opponents.

The injury also creates a domino effect in the receiving room. Rookie Romeo Doubs is expected to step into the No. 1 role while Brown recovers. Perry expressed uncertainty about Doubs’ ability to fill that void, describing him as having a very different personality from both Stefon Diggs and Brown.

“He’s not the typical ‘crazy bravado’ type of receiver we’re used to seeing,” Perry said. “I’m concerned he may not be able to step up and be the guy the Patriots need right now.”

What’s next for New England

The Patriots will look to add talent across the board to compensate for the loss. As the team navigates the early part of the 2026 season, fans will be watching closely to see how the coaching staff adapts and whether Brown can return to form after his recovery.

Original reporting: NBC10 Boston — read the source article.