A.J. Brown’s 2026 season with the Patriots began with a high ankle sprain in Week 1 against the Seahawks, limiting him to three receptions for 26 yards before placement on injured reserve. He is expected to miss four to six weeks and return no earlier than early November, creating an immediate and sizable gap in his year-long receiving total. Traded from Philadelphia in June for a 2028 first-round pick and 2027 fifth-rounder, Brown was positioned as the clear No. 1 option in a Drake Maye-led offense expected to emphasize the passing game more than recent Eagles schemes. The 29-year-old enters with six prior 1,000-yard seasons, including 1,003 yards in 15 games during 2025, but faces questions about workload management and recovery pace upon activation. Schedule strength and target share after return will further shape final yardage.