The New England Patriots opened the 2026 NFL season with a 13-10 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, but the score was not the worst part of the night. Star wide receiver A.J. Brown left the game in the third quarter with an ankle injury and did not return, putting his availability for the weeks ahead in doubt.
Brown was spotted wearing a walking boot on his right foot, according to reports. The severity of the injury was not immediately known. Brown was the team’s marquee offseason acquisition, and losing him now would be a heavy blow to an offense that already struggled to close out the game.
Brown’s Ankle and the Walking Boot
Brown went down during the third quarter of the rematch of Super Bowl LX and did not return. The walking boot is a worrying sign, though it does not confirm a long-term absence. Ankle injuries can range from minor sprains to structural damage, and the Patriots will likely run further tests in the coming days. Much of the focus in the near term will be on whether Brown can avoid missing time.
Fourth-Quarter Collapse in Seattle
The Patriots looked in control for most of the night. They carried a 10-point lead into the fourth quarter. Then the Seahawks scored 13 unanswered points to erase the deficit and spoil New England’s opener.
The collapse was costly. Seattle’s quarterback Sam Darnold left the game early with a hip injury on the opening drive, but the Seahawks still found a way back. The Patriots offense, meanwhile, could not sustain drives when it mattered most.
Drake Maye’s Three Interceptions
Quarterback Drake Maye had a difficult night. He threw three interceptions, including a costly turnover in the final minute that sealed the Patriots’ fate. After the game, Maye did not deflect.
“These guys are here for me. I think they’ve done a great job of supporting me and have my back,” Maye said. “I’ve got to keep on putting better football out there. It’s Week 1, but you’ve got to get this going early because we’ve got to start off on the right foot.”
Maye’s willingness to take responsibility is notable, but the interceptions are a real concern.
Mike Vrabel’s Steady Message
Head coach Mike Vrabel did not panic after the loss. He backed his quarterback and his team publicly, pointing to the length of the season.
“It’s a long season,” Vrabel said. “We’re going to hold our head up high, and we have nothing but the utmost confidence in him and everybody on this football team.”
The schedule does not get easier. The Patriots host the Pittsburgh Steelers at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough on Sunday, Sept. 20, and they will need a sharper performance.
If Brown is limited or out, the Patriots will have to adjust their game plan. The offense already looked thin in the fourth quarter, and losing their top receiver would make things harder.
Hard Numbers From the Opener
- Score: Seattle Seahawks 13, New England Patriots 10
- Injury: A.J. Brown, ankle, third quarter, did not return
- Injury: Sam Darnold, hip, opening drive, exited early
- Interceptions: Drake Maye, three
- Next game: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Sunday, Sept. 20
The Patriots have to fix their mistakes before the home opener. Maye knows he has to be better, and the coaching staff will be under pressure to find answers. Brown’s status will be the first question at every press conference until the team offers clarity.
For now, the mood in New England is cautious. The season is young, and Vrabel is right that one loss does not define a year. But the combination of a blown lead, a struggling quarterback, and an injured star receiver is exactly the kind of start that can snowball.
The home opener against the Steelers will tell them more. If Brown plays, the offense gets a boost. If he sits, the Patriots will need someone else to step up. Either way, the pressure is on.
The Patriots cannot afford another fourth quarter like Sunday’s.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
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