A.J. Brown latest injury update: New England Patriots’ much-coveted former Philadelphia Eagles WR expected to miss 6 weeks (Image via Getty: A.J. Brown) NFL Insider Ian Rapoport reported via X that A.J. Brown is expected to miss at least 6 weeks for the New England Patriots.He suffered a high ankle sprain in the Patriots’ 13-10 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the 2026 season opener. He was placed on the injured reserve list. Generally, the injury takes 4-6 weeks. But because Brown’s injury is a little more serious, it could take at least 6 weeks to recover, with no surgery planned.The most shocking part of his Week 1 story? He started out by mimicking Stefon Diggs but eventually fell to the ground after an incomplete pass from Patriots quarterback Drake Maye in the third quarter of the Week 1 game.Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett fell into tight coverage, and Pritchett’s knee landed directly on the outside of Brown’s right ankle with full body weight. Anyhow, we know the mimicking part stayed with you. Let’s find that out.
A.J. Brown reportedly mimicked Stefon Diggs in the pregame speech to Patriots players
Carlos A. Lopez shared a short clip of A.J. Brown’s motivating pregame speech to the New England Patriots. “If y’all boys just could hold up, we gonna score this sh*t. They cannot f*ck with none of us at wide receiver, I’m telling you. We running wide open, you hear me?” Brown is heard saying in the clip.An X user quickly commented on it, stating here’s the corrected version of Brown’s speech: “‘Ya’ll making me look bad, step the f*ck up. If ya’ll could just do your damn job, I’ll be getting my stats and touchdowns. Ya’ll work for me.’ Fixed it.”Stefon Diggs, too, hyped up the Patriots players before every game. His energy was loud and infectious. The players responded in unison to Diggs.But in Brown’s case, it seems the players are uninterested. We can’t know for sure. But while Brown gave that pregame speech, Alijah Vera-Tucker looked sideways as though thinking, “when is this speech going to end?”
Mack Hollins and Kyle Williams set to step up in A.J. Brown’s absence
This mimicry of Stefon Diggs may not come in handy for the next few weeks, as Brown will not be found on the gridiron. He is currently recovering from a high ankle sprain.According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, it will force him to miss 4-6 weeks, at least 6 weeks. So for the next few matches, his absence could be loudly felt. The Patriots’ next game is scheduled for next Sunday, September 20, against the Pittsburgh Steelers.Veteran WR Mack Hollins and Year 2 WR Kyle Williams may step up their roles for the next 4-6 games in Brown’s anticipated absence.Cleveland Clinic notes high ankle sprains do not require surgery unless the damage is very severe or the ankle remains unstable. Since Brown does not require surgery, he may return in less than six weeks; if he had undergone surgery, he would have been out for much longer. The team noted on Sept. 12 that Brown is eligible to return against the New York Jets in Week 6, on Oct. 18. He will miss games against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Buffalo Bills, and the Las Vegas Raiders. That’s when Hollins and Williams will need to step up their game.