Patriots WR A.J. Brown leaves season-opening loss to Seahawks with ankle injury

Like the Seattle Seahawks losing quarterback Sam Darnold , it didn't take long into the 2026 season for the New England Patriots to experience a big injury.

Receiver A.J. Brown , the biggest acquisition of the offseason for New England in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles , grabbed his lower right leg after an incompletion in the third quarter of Wednesday night's opener against the Seattle Seahawks and stayed down as the athletic training staff came out to check on him. He was later ruled out for the rest of the game with an ankle injury, and the Seahawks went on to rally for a 13-10 win .

Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel wasn't able to provide any information about the receiver's status after the game, though Brown was reportedly seen leaving the locker room in a walking boot on his right foot.

On a low throw, Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett landed on Brown's leg. Brown immediately grabbed above his ankle. He tried to get up but stayed down.

Brown left to the locker room shortly after the injury.

Brown had an impact in the first half. He smartly came back for an underthrown pass on a flea flicker and drew a defensive pass interference penalty at the 2-yard line. On the next play, rookie tight end Eli Raridon caught a touchdown , which ended up being the only score of the first half. Brown had three catches for 26 yards when he went down with the injury.

The Patriots wanted to upgrade at receiver and Brown was a major addition. He has six 1,000-yard seasons in his seven NFL seasons. Seeing their prized addition down with an ankle injury in the season opener wasn't part of the Patriots' plan.