FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said Thursday that wide receiver A.J. Brown is undergoing more tests on his right ankle. Vrabel also said he does not know whether Brown will be available for New England’s next game.
The Patriots host the Pittsburgh Steelers in their home opener on Sunday, Sept. 20, at Gillette Stadium. Kickoff is set for noon CT on CBS.
Earlier Thursday, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport reported that Brown’s preliminary diagnosis was a high-ankle sprain, with negative X-rays and an MRI scheduled for Thursday. Vrabel did not confirm that diagnosis at his press conference, NBC Sports’ Myles Simmons reported.
“We’re running more tests, but we’ll update you here next week,” Vrabel said. “Wasn’t able to finish the game, and we’ll continue to evaluate, continue to run tests. But I don’t know if he’ll be available going forward here for the next week, but we’ll see.”
“I know he’ll do everything that he can to get back as quickly as possible,” Vrabel continued. “And once we get the report, then we’ll figure out what the treatment plan is.”
A.J. Brown Hurt Early In Third Quarter Of Patriots’ Loss To Seahawks
Brown was injured early in the third quarter of Wednesday night’s 13-10 loss to the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. He was falling to the turf while trying to catch a pass from Drake Maye, and the pass fell incomplete. Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett made contact with Brown’s ankle with his knee, pushing it against the ground, The Associated Press reported.
New England initially listed Brown as questionable to return. The Patriots ruled him out at the start of the fourth quarter. Brown had 3 catches for 26 yards before the injury.
Brown walked off the field under his own power. After the game, Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald reported that Brown left the locker room wearing a boot on his right foot.
Maye had not seen Brown by the time he spoke with reporters after the game.
“I know he’s dealing with what he’s dealing with,” Maye said. “And I think for A.J., he’s going to fight hard to get back, whatever it is. I know he’s going to want to get back out there quick. And I think he’s a competitor, and he’s going to help this football team a lot this year. So I’m looking forward to getting to see him and checking in on how he’s doing.”
New England Patriots Added A.J. Brown After Parting With Stefon Diggs
New England decided not to bring back Stefon Diggs after he served as the offense’s No. 1 receiver in 2025. Diggs caught 85 passes for 1,013 yards and 4 touchdowns in 17 games last season. He now plays for the Washington Commanders.
The Patriots acquired Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles on June 1 for a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick. Vrabel coached Brown for his first three NFL seasons with the Tennessee Titans.
Brown, 29, played all 17 regular-season games for Philadelphia in 2022 and again in 2023. He played 13 games in 2024, when the Eagles won the Super Bowl, and 15 games in 2025.
Without Brown in the second half Wednesday, Mack Hollins finished as New England’s leading receiver with 4 catches for 51 yards. Romeo Doubs, who signed with the Patriots in March, finished without a catch.
The Patriots are scheduled to return to practice Monday.
