Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown was ruled out of Wednesday’s season opener against the Seahawks after suffering an ankle injury in the third quarter. Steph Chambers / Getty Images
SEATTLE — The New England Patriots traded for A.J. Brown this offseason with high hopes for how the talented wide receiver could transform their offense.
But after a quick start, it was a tough season opener for Brown, who suffered an ankle injury in the third quarter of Wednesday night’s game in Seattle against the Seahawks. Brown was ruled out for the remainder of the game after heading to the locker room for further examination.
Patriots coach Mike Vrabel did not have any update on Brown’s status after the game.
Brown’s statistics — three catches for 23 yards — don’t speak to just how impactful he was against a talented Seahawks defense. He was wide open downfield on a third-down flea-flicker and drew a defensive pass-interference flag when the ball from Drake Maye was underthrown. That set up the lone touchdown of the first half.
Of course, it’s not yet known how long Brown will be out, but ankle injuries tend to linger for a couple of weeks.
Without Brown, Romeo Doubs becomes the Patriots’ top wide receiver, but the former Green Bay Packer was held without a catch on three targets and had a bad drop in the fourth quarter on a wide-open pass on second down that would’ve picked up big yardage. Maye threw his second of three interceptions on the night one play later.
Connections: Sports Edition
Spot the pattern. Connect the terms
Find the hidden link between sports terms
