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Doctor Gives The Worst Possible Update On AJ Brown’s Injury

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This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.

AJ Brown (Photo Via Imagn Images)

AJ Brown’s return timeline looks worse than the New England Patriots first hoped.

The Patriots’ wide receiver could miss six weeks after suffering a high ankle sprain in Wednesday’s season-opening loss to the Seattle Seahawks. NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported the timeline on Sunday morning.

Orthopaedic surgeon Deepak Chona then offered an even tougher outlook for Brown. Chona wrote, “This is brutal news for AJ Brown. Calling it 6 wks from the jump means high severity high ankle. The post-return performance outlook isn’t expecting him to look like himself for the first month back either.”

Patriots Face Major Problem Without Brown

AJ Brown in uniform.
AJ Brown (Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images)

The Patriots placed Brown on injured reserve this week. That move guarantees at least four missed games. The six-week timeline would keep him out for two more games beyond that minimum.

Chona said the timeline indicates a high-severity injury and also mentioned that Brown may not be like before for the time being after he returns.

This injury is bad news for New England, especially with the schedule coming up. Over their next six games, the Patriots have to face four teams that made the playoffs last year, taking on the Steelers, Jaguars, Bills, Raiders, Jets, and Bears.

The Patriots just traded for Brown this offseason from Philadelphia. In his debut, he had three catches for 26 yards before getting hurt and leaving the game early.

Now Drake Maye must help the Patriots’ offense move forward without their top offseason addition. Romeo Doubs, Mack Hollins, and DeMario Douglas will have to take on bigger roles.

Doubs struggled against Seattle. He saw three targets but failed to catch a pass.

Maye also struggled after Brown left the game. He threw three interceptions in the fourth quarter.

“For A.J. (Brown), he’s going to fight hard to get back and whatever it is, I know he’s going to want to get back out there quick,” Maye said after the game. “I think he’s a competitor and he’s going to help this football team for a lot of this year.”

New England will host Pittsburgh next Sunday at 1 p.m. ET in its Foxborough opener. The Patriots enter that game with a 0-1 record and a deep hole in their receiving group.

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