New England Patriots receiver A.J. Brown faces a recovery timeline of six to eight weeks after sustaining a high ankle sprain during the team’s season opener on September 9 against Seattle, according to comments made by ESPN’s Adam Schefter on WEEI. The injury occurred during the third quarter of the matchup, leaving the Patriots’ offense searching for reliable production in his absence.
Injury Timeline and Recovery Projections
Brown is out for at least the next three games. Schefter reported that the receiver has been moving well during the initial two weeks of rehabilitation, raising the possibility of an early return toward the six-week mark rather than the full eight-week maximum. The earliest game Brown is eligible to play is a Week 5 contest against the Jets on October 18. A six-week recovery aligns with a Thursday night game against the Bears on October 22, while an eight-week timeline would delay his return until November. Patriots coach Mike Vrabel emphasized the urgency of getting Brown back on the field following a two-game stretch where the offense averaged just 15 points per game, tying for the fifth-worst mark in the league.
Roster Impact and Additional Injuries
In Brown’s absence, Romeo Doubs stepped up by recording a career-high 96 receiving yards against Pittsburgh, standing as the only Patriots pass-catcher to exceed 40 yards in that game. However, the victory over Pittsburgh came at a high cost to the roster. Players Dre’Mont Jones, Eli Raridon, Craig Woodson, Dell Pettus, and Mike Onwenu all exited the game early with injuries. Pettus and Onwenu have since been placed on injured reserve. ESPN reported that Onwenu sustained a broken ankle and Schefter indicated that missing the regular season is a realistic expectation, noting that a deep run would be necessary to enhance any potential for an earlier return.
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