Sam Darnold's injury stole the headlines from Wednesday's 2026 NFL season opener between the Seahawks and the Patriots, but there was also another star who was forced off the field during the game
New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown
A.J. Brown was forced off through injury during the third quarter of Wednesday night's season opener between the Seahawks and Patriots
View 2 Images
New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown was spotted wearing a protective boot on his right foot following Wednesday's NFL season opener against the Seattle Seahawks after being forced out of the game through injury.
Brown, 29, remained down after failing to haul in a pass from quarterback Drake Maye with just over 13 minutes remaining in the third quarter, after the right knee of Seahawks star Nehemiah Pritchett, who was closely tracking him, appeared to land on his ankle with the force of his body weight.
Brown was slow to get up, grabbing his right ankle as he stayed on the turf, prompting the Patriots' medical staff to tend to him, and before long, he limped his way over to the medical tent. In the same game, Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold was also ruled out after sustaining a hip injury.
Once he reemerged, Brown walked to the locker room with members of the athletic training and medical staff, and, despite initially being listed as questionable to return, the Patriots soon downgraded him to 'out' at the start of the fourth quarter.
It was a nightmare start to his Patriots career for Brown, yet things would get even worse after the match, when he was required to leave the stadium wearing a protective boot.
"A.J. Brown just walked out of the #Patriots locker room wearing a boot on his right foot," Patriots reporter Andrew Callahn posted on X following the game. "He left with an ankle injury and did not return."
It remains to be seen just how serious Brown's injury is, with it not yet confirmed how long the former Philadelphia Eagles star could be out for or whether he requires any extra medical attention.
Due to the nature in which Pritchett landed directly on Brown's lower leg, the primary concerns are a high ankle sprain or potentially a bone fracture, though a definitive timeline will depend on upcoming MRI results.
Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel had no update on Brown's situation in his post-game press conference, though safety Kevin Byard III, a team captain, said he saw Brown and described him as being in "good spirits."
Starting quarterback Drake Maye also added that Brown will "fight hard to get back", though he and the rest of his Patriots teammates now face a nervous wait to see what the full extent of the injury to their prized addition is.
A.J. Brown #1 of the New England Patriots is assisted off the field
Brown is assisted off the field after going down in the third quarter, holding his ankle
View 2 Images
One positive for the Patriots is that there is sufficient time before their next game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 20, allowing Brown more time than usual to rest and recover for that Week 2 clash at Gillette Stadium.
Prior to his injury in Wednesday's season opener, Brown showed signs of the quality he possesses by catching 3 passes on 4 targets for 26 yards, while drawing a 34-yard pass interference penalty deep downfield in the first half, which directly set up the Patriots' opening touchdown.
By the time he was ruled out, the Patriots led the Seahawks 10-3, thanks to rookie Eli Raridon's touchdown catch and a successful field goal, though the hosts would eventually rally to win the game 13-10, in what was a rematch of Super Bowl LX.