Overview
- A.J. Brown suffered the high-ankle sprain at Lumen Field on Sept. 9 and the Patriots moved him to injured reserve after an MRI confirmed the injury.
- NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reported that the injury is more serious than first thought and the expectation is Brown will miss about six weeks with no surgery planned.
- The IR move formally guarantees a minimum four-game absence but the six-week estimate would likely keep Brown out through October and force him to miss several tough early-season opponents.
- A viral sideline video of Brown addressing the offensive line drew heavy social-media backlash and Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels said he learned of the IR move only after the fact, raising communication concerns.
- New England must redistribute targets to Romeo Doubs, Mack Hollins, DeMario Douglas and the tight ends, a change that increases pressure on Drake Maye and narrows the margin for error over the coming weeks.