Patriots might not have A.J. Brown for game against Bills in Week 5

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 09: A.J. Brown #1 of the New England Patriots is assisted off the field after being injured in a play against the Seattle Seahawks during the third quarter in the game at Lumen Field on September 09, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jane Gershovich/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Friday update - 1:00pm

The Buffalo Bills don't host the New England Patriots until Week 4, but we now know A.J. Brown's injury status for that game.

Drake Maye's presumed No. 1 receiver was placed on IR designated-to-return on Friday, meaning he will officially be out for the October 4 contest in Orchard Park

Sources: Patriots are placing wide receiver AJ Brown on injured reserve due to his high ankle sprain, sidelining him for a minimum of four games. pic.twitter.com/hzOvh8T4n7

- Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 11, 2026

END UPDATE

A.J. Brown was held to three catches for 26 yards in the Patriots season loss to the Seahawks before he left the game with an ankle injury, and now we have more clarity on whether or not he'll be available for New England when they face the Bills early in October.

ESPN's Adam Schefter was first on the report of Brown's timeline to return to the field from his high-ankle sprain:

An MRI confirmed that Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown suffered a high ankle sprain in Wednesday's season-opening loss to the Seattle Seahawks that is expected to sideline him at least four weeks.

Story via @MikeReiss:https://t.co/DnJ4lPq9en

- Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 11, 2026

Based on that report, simple math tells us Brown will not be on the field in Highmark Stadium in Week 4 against the Bills.

Jordan Schultz also surfaced a report on Brown, with a slightly different and less specific timetable:

Sources: The internal belief with the #Patriots is star WR A.J. Brown could miss 3-6 weeks with his ankle injury. There's discussions on if a short-term IR stint will be required.

Discussions will continue on how to proceed. https://t.co/97hziTskAcpic.twitter.com/yjUTgOAIdq

- Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) September 10, 2026

Even if Brown recovers quickly, based on this report from Schultz, Brown still wouldn't be ready to return by Week 4. However, if he is indeed placed on IR, it will guarantee Brown will be on the sidelines for the first game against the Bills this season.

Last season in the 13-12 victory over the Bills as a member of the Eagles, Brown was targeted seven times and had five receptions for 68 yards.

For as much as I bet Brown will be pushing to get back on the field, given his age and importance to this Patriots offense in Year 3 of the Drake Maye era, don't be surprised if New England takes the slower, precautionary route with Brown nursing this injury.

We'll have to continue to monitor this situation with a less than a month before the Patriots and Bills square off in Orchard Park.

Right now, it seems very unlikely that Brown plays in this game.