The high ankle sprain recovery time NFL players face can vary significantly depending on the severity of the injury, and New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown is now dealing with that uncertainty after suffering an ankle injury in his Patriots debut.

Brown injured his right ankle during New England’s 13-10 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Wednesday night. The injury occurred early in the third quarter when Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett landed on the outside of Brown’s ankle while defending a pass from quarterback Drake Maye.

Brown immediately left the field and did not return.

A.J. Brown Suffers Suspected High Ankle Sprain

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Brown suffered a suspected high ankle sprain and was scheduled to undergo an MRI to determine the severity of the injury.

Initial X-rays were negative for a fracture, which is encouraging news. However, a high ankle sprain can still keep an NFL player out for multiple games because it involves the ligaments connecting the tibia and fibula above the ankle.

The Patriots have not yet provided an official recovery timeline for Brown.

That means the question “how long is AJ Brown out” cannot be answered with certainty until the MRI results and further medical evaluations are known.

High Ankle Sprain NFL Recovery Time: How Long Do Players Miss?

The high ankle sprain NFL recovery time can differ considerably from one player to another.

Historical NFL data provides some useful context. One study of syndesmotic ankle sprains among NFL players found that athletes missed an average of approximately 3.3 games and 16.7 practices.

However, that figure should not be viewed as a guaranteed timeline for Brown.

Some players have missed no games, while more serious injuries have resulted in substantially longer absences. MRI findings and the extent of ligament damage are particularly important when determining how quickly an athlete can return.

For a wide receiver, the recovery process can be especially challenging because the position requires explosive acceleration, sharp cuts and frequent changes of direction.

CeeDee Lamb Provides a Recent Comparison

A useful recent example is Dallas Cowboys receiver CeeDee Lamb, who suffered a high ankle sprain during the 2025 NFL season.

Lamb was initially expected to miss approximately three to four weeks and ultimately missed three full games before returning to action.

That comparison could offer some perspective for Patriots fans, but Brown’s situation could be different.

The severity of a high ankle sprain varies, and each player’s rehabilitation can progress at a different rate. Brown’s MRI results will therefore be much more important than any historical comparison.

How Long Is AJ Brown Out?

So, how long is AJ Brown out? At this stage, there is no confirmed timetable.

The Patriots have confirmed that Brown suffered an ankle injury, while NFL Network reported that the injury is a high ankle sprain. The MRI is expected to provide more information about the extent of the damage.

If the injury is relatively mild, Brown could potentially return after missing a small number of games. A more significant ligament injury could result in a longer absence.

The Patriots will also have to determine whether Brown can remain on the active roster or whether his injury is serious enough to require a stint on injured reserve.

A.J. Brown’s Patriots Debut Ends Early

Brown had four targets and finished his first game with New England with three receptions for 26 yards before the injury.

He also drew a defensive pass-interference penalty that helped New England establish a scoring opportunity.

The Patriots acquired Brown during the offseason after his productive four-year run with the Philadelphia Eagles. New England was counting on the veteran receiver to become a major target for quarterback Drake Maye.

His injury therefore creates an immediate concern for the Patriots’ offense.

What Determines High Ankle Sprain Recovery Time in the NFL?

Several factors can influence high ankle sprain recovery time NFL players experience, including:

• The severity of the ligament damage
• MRI findings
• Whether additional structures are injured
• Pain and swelling
• The player’s ability to run and change direction
• Progress during rehabilitation
• The team’s medical assessment

Because Brown’s injury is still being evaluated, assigning an exact return date would be premature.

What Comes Next for A.J. Brown?

The MRI should provide the clearest indication of Brown’s injury severity and potential recovery timeline.

For now, the historical NFL average of roughly three games missed gives Patriots fans a general point of reference, but it should not be interpreted as a prediction.

Brown’s status will become clearer once New England receives the MRI results and provides an official update.

Until then, the biggest takeaway is that there is no confirmed return date for A.J. Brown, and his availability for upcoming Patriots games remains uncertain.