The 2026 NFL opener was anything but smooth sailing. The New England Patriots had an injury scare of their own, shortly after Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold suffered a hip injury and walked off the field. A.J. Brown’s long-awaited debut with the Patriots was cut short with an ankle injury in the second half. He was later seen in a walking boot on his right foot, raising concerns about what this could mean for the rest of the season. Here’s what we know about Brown’s injury update.
What happened to A.J. Brown?
Brown was the blockbuster offseason addition to the team, and the season opener marked his highly anticipated debut with the Patriots. However, in the third quarter, he sustained an injury while trying to make a catch from quarterback Drake Maye. His right ankle appeared to get caught underneath him as Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett made contact with him.
The 29-year-old wide receiver remained on the field, visibly in pain, as the medical team examined him before heading to the blue medical tent. He eventually walked to the locker room on his own, but he was wearing just one cleat. The Patriots later officially ruled Brown out for the remainder of the game with an ankle injury.
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