A.J. Brown Ankle Injury: Did He Get Hurt? Latest Update

A.J. Brown suffered an ankle injury during his New England Patriots debut against the Seattle Seahawks, raising immediate concerns about his availability for the rest of the 2026 NFL season.

Brown was injured in the third quarter of New England’s season opener on September 9. The wide receiver went down while attempting to catch a low pass from quarterback Drake Maye. Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett was defending the play, and his knee landed on Brown’s right ankle.

Brown immediately grabbed his ankle and remained on the field while Patriots trainers attended to him. He eventually walked to the medical tent before heading to the locker room for further evaluation. He was initially listed as questionable to return but was later ruled out for the remainder of the game.

Did A.J. Brown Get Hurt?

Yes, A.J. Brown did get hurt during the Patriots’ Week 1 matchup with the Seahawks.

The injury occurred early in the third quarter. Brown was involved in a play involving a low pass from Maye when Pritchett’s knee came down on Brown’s right ankle. The position of Brown’s leg caused his ankle to twist awkwardly.

Brown received attention from the Patriots’ medical staff and could not continue playing. He was later ruled out for the game.

The injury was particularly concerning because Brown had just joined New England after the Patriots acquired him from the Philadelphia Eagles during the offseason.

What Happened to A.J. Brown’s Ankle?

Brown’s right ankle became trapped during the third-quarter play, and he immediately reacted to the contact.

After the play, Brown tried to get up but stayed down for additional medical attention. He eventually limped toward the sideline and entered the medical tent.

He later went to the locker room for X-rays. At that point, the Patriots had not announced a specific diagnosis or provided a timetable for his return.

Postgame footage also showed Brown wearing a walking boot, adding to the concern surrounding the injury. Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel did not provide a definitive update on the severity immediately after the game.

A.J. Brown Ankle Injury Update

The latest update is that Brown was ruled out for the remainder of the Patriots’ season opener because of the ankle injury.

However, there was no official announcement confirming how many games Brown could miss. Reports raised concern about a possible high ankle sprain, but that should not be treated as an official diagnosis until the Patriots or Brown’s medical team confirms it.

That distinction is important. A high ankle sprain can sometimes require a longer recovery than a typical ankle sprain, but Brown’s actual injury cannot be accurately classified from the broadcast footage alone.

Did A.J. Brown Suffer a High Ankle Sprain?

A possible high ankle sprain has been discussed following Brown’s injury, but there was no confirmed official diagnosis at the time of the latest reports.

CBS Sports cited concern about a right high ankle eversion sprain, while other reports simply described the injury as a right ankle injury.

More information should become available when New England releases its next injury report and Brown undergoes additional medical evaluation.

For now, the safest conclusion is that Brown suffered a significant enough ankle injury to prevent him from finishing the season opener, but the full severity remains uncertain.

How Did A.J. Brown Look Before the Injury?

Brown had made an immediate impact in his Patriots debut before leaving the game.

He recorded three receptions for 26 yards on four targets before the injury. He also drew a major 34-yard defensive pass interference penalty that moved New England deep into Seattle territory and helped set up the Patriots’ opening touchdown.

Although his receiving numbers were modest, his presence was already important to New England’s offense.

The Patriots acquired Brown specifically to provide Drake Maye with an established No. 1-type receiving option. His early exit therefore created a significant concern for the offense.

Will A.J. Brown Miss More Games?

It is too early to say exactly how many games Brown will miss.

The confirmed information is that he was ruled out for the remainder of the Patriots’ season opener. There was not yet an official timetable for his return in the latest injury reports.

The next important developments will be the results of further medical testing and Brown’s participation in practice ahead of New England’s Week 2 game.

If the injury is ultimately diagnosed as a mild sprain, Brown could potentially return relatively quickly. A more serious ankle injury, particularly a high ankle sprain, could result in a longer absence.

Why A.J. Brown’s Injury Matters to the Patriots

Brown was one of New England’s biggest offseason additions, so losing him for any significant period would be a major blow.

The Patriots entered the 2026 season hoping Brown could become a major weapon for Maye. His ability to make contested catches, create yards after the catch and stretch defenses gives New England another option in the passing game.

Brown also entered the season with an impressive track record. He had recorded at least 1,000 receiving yards in six of his first seven NFL seasons, including 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns with Philadelphia in 2025.

A.J. Brown Injury: What We Know

Here is the current picture surrounding the injury:

A.J. Brown Injury X-Ray and Medical Update

Brown was taken to the locker room for X-rays after leaving the field. The fact that he underwent imaging was an important part of the immediate evaluation, but an X-ray alone does not necessarily determine the severity of every ankle injury.

Additional examinations may be necessary before the Patriots can determine whether Brown has a sprain, ligament damage or another type of injury.

Because the exact diagnosis had not been publicly confirmed, it would be premature to claim that Brown will miss a specific number of games.

Final A.J. Brown Ankle Injury Update

A.J. Brown did get injured during his Patriots debut against the Seahawks. He suffered a right ankle injury in the third quarter after Seattle defender Nehemiah Pritchett landed on his leg while defending a low pass.

Brown left the field, underwent X-rays and was eventually ruled out for the rest of the game. He was later seen wearing a walking boot.

At the latest update, the Patriots had not officially announced the full severity of the ankle injury or a return timetable. Reports have raised concern about a possible high ankle sprain, but that remains unconfirmed.

The next Patriots injury report and Brown’s follow-up medical evaluation should provide a clearer picture of whether he will miss additional games.

FAQs

Did A.J. Brown get injured?

Yes. A.J. Brown suffered a right ankle injury during the Patriots’ Week 1 game against the Seahawks.

What happened to A.J. Brown’s ankle?

Brown’s right ankle was caught awkwardly when Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett landed on his leg during a third-quarter pass attempt.

Was A.J. Brown ruled out?

Yes. Brown was initially listed as questionable to return but was later ruled out for the rest of the game.

Did A.J. Brown have X-rays?

Yes. Brown went to the locker room for X-rays after leaving the field.

Does A.J. Brown have a high ankle sprain?

A high ankle sprain has been raised as a possibility, but there was no official confirmation of that diagnosis in the latest available reports.

Will A.J. Brown miss the rest of the season?

There is currently no confirmed report saying Brown will miss the entire 2026 season. His return timeline had not yet been announced.