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The New England Patriots’ 2026 season began with disappointment as they fell to the Seattle Seahawks in a highly anticipated rematch. The loss was compounded by injuries to key players, including quarterback Sam Darnold, who departed early with a hip issue. However, the most concerning development involves star wide receiver AJ Brown, whose debut with the franchise was cut short.
Brown exited the contest during the third quarter after sustaining an ankle injury while attempting to make a catch. The talented receiver, acquired as a major offseason addition, was ruled out for the remainder of the game, forcing backup receivers Romeo Doubs and Mack Hollins into expanded roles. Their performances were mixed, with Hollins making critical catches while Doubs struggled with key drops that hindered offensive drives.
While official medical evaluations remain pending, there are some positive signs emerging. Safety Kevin Byard shared an encouraging observation about Brown’s demeanor following the game, noting the receiver maintained a positive attitude. This optimistic outlook could indicate the injury may not be as severe as initially feared, though Patriots fans await formal test results before drawing firm conclusions.
Head coach Mike Vrabel has not yet provided concrete details regarding Brown’s status moving forward. The Patriots organization will likely release updates once medical personnel complete their assessments of the ankle injury sustained during Wednesday night’s contest.
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Originally reported by Sports.yahoo →
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