playMike ReissSep 9, 2026, 10:22 PM ETCloseMike Reiss is an NFL reporter at ESPN and covers the New England Patriots. Reiss has covered the Patriots since 1997 and joined ESPN in 2009. In 2019, he was named Massachusetts Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sports Media Association.Multiple AuthorsOpen Extended ReactionsSEATTLE — Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown left Wednesday night’s 13-10 loss to the Seahawks early in the third quarter because of a right ankle injury and did not return.Brown, in his Patriots debut, remained down after a third-down incomplete pass in which quarterback Drake Maye was throwing in his direction with Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett in tight coverage.
Pritchett’s right knee appeared to land on Brown’s ankle with the force of his body weight. Brown grabbed for the back of his right leg as he sat up.He slowly walked to the sideline, going to the medical tent for an extended period. He then walked to the locker room with members of the athletic training and medical staff.Brown was initially listed as questionable to return, but the Patriots downgraded him to out at the start of the fourth quarter.Coach Mike Vrabel said he didn’t have an update on Brown after the game. The veteran receiver, who had three catches for 26 yards before leaving, was wearing a protective boot on the foot in the locker room after the loss.Safety Kevin Byard III, a team captain, said he saw Brown and described him as being in “good spirits.”Added Maye: “I know A.J. will fight hard to get back.
He’s a competitor and he’s going to help this team a lot this year.”The Patriots traded a 2028 first-round pick to acquire Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles on June 1.Earlier in the game, Brown helped set up the Patriots’ first touchdown by coming back for an underthrown Maye deep ball and drawing a defensive pass interference penalty. Maye hit rookie tight end Eli Raridon for a 2-yard touchdown on the next play.The Patriots have an extended layoff until their Week 2 game, next playing the Steelers at home Sept. 20.
