The New England Patriots’ 2026 season got off to a rocky start Wednesday night with a 13-10 defeat to the Seattle Seahawks in a Super Bowl LX rematch. While the loss itself was disappointing, the injury suffered by star wide receiver A.J. Brown during the third quarter has emerged as the primary concern heading forward. Brown, a major offseason acquisition for the Patriots, did not return to the game after sustaining an ankle injury to his right foot.
New England appeared poised for victory, maintaining a 10-point advantage entering the final quarter. However, Seattle mounted an impressive comeback, scoring 13 unanswered points to secure the upset victory. Quarterback Drake Maye struggled significantly, throwing three interceptions throughout the contest, including a pivotal turnover late in the game that sealed the Patriots’ fate. Following the loss, Maye acknowledged his subpar performance and expressed determination to improve quickly.
The specific severity of Brown’s ankle injury remained unclear immediately after the game, though observations indicated he was wearing a walking boot on his right foot. The absence of such a key offensive weapon proved particularly costly as Maye attempted to navigate a difficult outing. Adding to New England’s injury woes, Seattle’s quarterback Sam Darnold also departed early with a hip injury.
Head coach Mike Vrabel maintained confidence in his team despite the setback, emphasizing that the season remains young. The Patriots will host the Pittsburgh Steelers at Gillette Stadium on September 20, but the focus over the coming days will undoubtedly center on Brown’s status and whether he can avoid extended time away from the field.
Originally reported by Sports.yahoo →
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