How Long Is A.J. Brown Out? Ankle Injury Updates, Return Timeline for Patriots WR originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
A.J. Brown's run with the Patriots started on a sour note during the team's Week 1 game against the Seahawks. The star wideout left the team's season opener with an ankle injury.
At the start of the third quarter, New England quarterback Drake Maye threw a pass to Brown, but Seattle cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett knocked down the pass and landed on Brown's right ankle. Brown was in immediate pain, but he left the field without help.
Brown was then seen limping back to the locker room before undergoing an X-ray. He was ruled out for the rest of the game.
A.J. Brown walked off the field with a limp after grabbing at his leg on this play.
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 10, 2026
(📺 NBC) pic.twitter.com/cqHSUo47RP
What is Brown's status following his injury?
A.J. Brown injury update: How long is Patriots WR out?
On Sept. 10, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that Brown suffered a high-ankle sprain. The news came after X-rays were negative for a fracture.
He was officially placed on injured reserve on Sept. 11.
On Sept. 23, ESPN's Adam Schefter told WEEI that Brown has been "moving pretty well" and could come back "on the quicker side of six weeks than eight weeks."
On Oct. 14, Patriots coach Mike Vrabel announced that Brown would be available to practice ahead of a Week 6 matchup against the Jets.
"He hasn't been out there for four weeks, so we'll get him back out there practicing and see if he's ready to go in a couple days," Vrabel said.
On Oct. 16, the Patriots announced the injury report and game statuses ahead of the Week 6 Jets game. Brown is listed as questionable following three days of limited practice. To play Sunday, Brown must be activated from the injury reserve by 4 p.m. ET Saturday.
We won't make that decision until tomorrow," Vrabel said on Friday. "I try to see where his conditioning level is and see where he may feel here after practice today."
A.J. Brown career stats
| Year | Team | GP | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD |
| 2019 | TEN | 16 | 52 | 1,051 | 20.2 | 91 | 8 |
| 2020 | TEN | 14 | 70 | 1,075 | 15.4 | 73 | 11 |
| 2021 | TEN | 13 | 63 | 869 | 13.8 | 57 | 5 |
| 2022 | PHI | 17 | 88 | 1,496 | 17.0 | 78 | 11 |
| 2023 | PHI | 17 | 106 | 1,456 | 13.7 | 59 | 7 |
| 2024 | PHI | 13 | 67 | 1,079 | 16.1 | 67 | 7 |
| 2025 | PHI | 15 | 78 | 1,003 | 12.9 | 45 | 7 |
| Career | — | 105 | 524 | 8,029 | 15.3 | 91 | 56 |
New England Patriots schedule 2026
| Week | Date | Opponent | Time (ET)/Result |
| 1 | Sept. 9 | at Seahawks | L, 13-10 |
| 2 | Sept. 20 | vs. Steelers | W, 20-3 |
| 3 | Sept. 27 | at Jaguars | L, 35-6 |
| 4 | Oct. 4 | at Bills | W, 29-26 |
| 5 | Oct. 11 | vs. Raiders | W, 45-17 |
| 6 | Oct. 18 | vs. Jets | 1 p.m. |
| 7 | Oct. 22 | at Bears | 8:15 p.m. |
| 8 | Nov. 1 | at Dolphins | 4:25 p.m. |
| 9 | Nov. 8 | vs. Packers | 4:25 p.m. |
| 10 | Nov. 15 | vs. Lions (Germany) | 9:30 a.m. |
| 11 | BYE | — | — |
| 12 | Nov. 29 | at Chargers | 8:20 p.m. |
| 13 | Dec. 6 | vs. Bills | 4:25 p.m. |
| 14 | Dec. 10 | vs. Vikings | 8:15 p.m. |
| 15 | Dec. 21 | at Chiefs | 8:15 p.m. |
| 16 | Dec. 27 | at Jets | 1 p.m. |
| 17 | TBD | vs. Broncos | TBD |
| 18 | TBD | vs. Dolphins | TBD |