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New England Patriots star A.J. Brown suffered a high-ankle sprain during his crushing debut on Wednesday night.
Brown was hurt early in the third quarter on an incomplete pass from Drake Maye. He was falling to the turf as he tried to make the catch, and Seattle Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett's knee made contact with Brown's ankle.
NFL insiders reported on Thursday morning that Brown's X-rays were negative for a fracture but he's set for an MRI scan later in the day.
Brown will definitely miss time with a high-ankle sprain but the length of his absence is yet to be determined. He was seen leaving his team's locker room in a boot after their 13-10 loss.
The receiver was originally announced as questionable to return, and the Patriots ruled him out at the start of the fourth quarter. Brown had three catches for 26 yards before the injury.
During his time on the field, Brown was involved in a key play that led to the Patriots' lone touchdown.
New England Patriots star A.J. Brown suffered a high-ankle sprain during his crushing debut
Brown will miss time with a high-ankle sprain but he's scheduled for an MRI scan on Thursday
In the second quarter, Maye found Brown deep downfield on a flea-flicker, but the ball was slightly underthrown and Seattle cornerback Josh Jobe ran into Brown for a pass-interference penalty at the two-yard line. Maye connected with Eli Raridon for a touchdown on the next play.
The Patriots acquired Brown in an offseason trade with Philadelphia. Brown had at least 1,000 yards receiving and seven touchdown catches in six of his first seven seasons, including 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns on 78 catches with the Eagles last year.
'I think for A.J. he's going to fight hard to get back from whatever it is,' Maye said.
'I know he's going to want to get back out there quick. He's a competitor and he's going to help this football team a lot this year.'
After leading 10-0, the Seahawks scored 13 unanswered points to take a lead despite losing quarterback Sam Darnold on the first drive of the game.
The Patriots committed a series of blunders that doomed them, including an inexcusable drop in open space from Romeo Doubs and three interceptions from Maye.
Maye and the Patriots had a chance to close the game out - or at least tie it - as they had the ball in field goal range with less than a minute left.
But the third-year quarterback and last year's MVP runner-up threw a bewildering pass for the end zone that was intercepted by Jobe to seal the defeat.
