A.J. Brown’s 2026 receiving touchdown total faces an immediate setback from a high ankle sprain suffered in Week 1 against the Seahawks, leading to placement on injured reserve with a minimum four-week absence and an expected return around mid-October. The 29-year-old wide receiver was traded from the Eagles to the Patriots in June for a 2028 first-round pick and 2027 fifth-rounder, positioning him as Drake Maye’s clear top target in an offense projected to emphasize passing volume and red-zone opportunities more than Philadelphia’s recent schemes. Brown posted seven touchdowns in each of the prior three seasons while averaging strong target shares, though his 2025 yardage dipped amid a 15-game campaign. The early injury compounds age-related concerns and compresses the window for accumulating scores in a 17-game schedule.