How the Patriots Plan to Replace A.J. Brown After His High Ankle Sprain
This article explains how New England will redistribute A.J. Brown's targets among Romeo Doubs, Mack Hollins, DeMario Douglas and Kyle Williams while he recovers from a high ankle sprain on injured reserve.
One game into his New England tenure, A.J. Brown is done for a while. The receiver left the Patriots' 13-10 season-opening loss to the defending champion Seattle Seahawks with a high ankle sprain. NFL.com reported that Brown is expected to miss six weeks. The team has placed him on injured reserve, which guarantees at least four games on the sideline.
That leaves New England's offense in an unfamiliar position. Brown arrived as the team's top offseason acquisition, a veteran who can line up across the formation and give quarterback Drake Maye a reliable target. Now the Patriots must play their home opener against Pittsburgh without him.
A Rough Debut
Brown's injury happened in Week 1, but the damage wasn't limited to his ankle. The loss to Seattle exposed problems in the passing game. Romeo Doubs, signed in free agency, had no catches and dropped a wide-open pass late in the game. That mistake preceded Maye's third interception, and Seattle turned the turnover into the decisive field goal.
Mack Hollins and DeMario Douglas combined for nine catches and 71 yards. Kyle Williams was not targeted at all.
The Replacement Cast
The Patriots will lean on those four receivers while Brown is out. Coach Mike Vrabel said the team won't simply ask one player to copy Brown's role. "We'll have to move guys around to different positions," Vrabel said.
Hollins looks like the safest bet to see more targets. He ranked third on the team last season with 46 receptions and 550 yards. Vrabel said Hollins can play multiple receiving positions, much like Brown did.
Douglas brings a different skill set. He had 31 catches for 447 yards in 2025, and he has shown he can stretch the field for Maye.
Williams is the biggest unknown. He caught only 10 passes last season, but he averaged 20.9 yards per catch. CBS Sports reported that Williams is expected to be more involved in Week 2. Williams said he is ready: "I could do a lot and just when the opportunity presents itself, I've got to show up."
A Wider Reshuffle
Vrabel made clear the offense is still being installed. "I don't think tweaked is really the answer," he said. "We're trying to install here and putting guys in spots that are best for them and best for us."
That suggests the next month is not just about replacing Brown's production. It is about figuring out which combinations work for the long term. Brown's absence forces Maye to build chemistry with a group that had mixed results in Week 1. The pressure is on, and Maye acknowledged it. "Obviously, guys need to step up," he said. "They know that and they're ready for it."
The next six weeks will show whether this receiving corps can carry the passing attack. If Hollins, Douglas, Doubs and Williams can't, New England's offense will struggle until Brown returns.
That's the reality in New England right now. The Patriots don't need one player to replace A.J. Brown. They need four players to become more than they were in Week 1.