Patriots wide receiver A. J. Brown left Wednesday night's 13-10 loss to the Seahawks early in the third quarter due to a right ankle injury.

Brown, in his Patriots debut, remained down after a third-down incomplete pass where quarterback Drake Maye was throwing in his direction with Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett in tight coverage. Pritchett's right knee appeared to land on Brown's ankle with the force of his body weight. Brown was initially listed as questionable to return but was downgraded to out at the start of the fourth quarter.

He walked to the locker room with medical staff and was seen wearing a protective boot afterward. Brown had three catches for 26 yards before leaving the game. Safety Kevin Byard III said Brown was in "good spirits," and Drake Maye added, "I know A.

J. will fight hard to get back. He's a competitor and he's going to help this team a lot this year." The Patriots traded a 2028 first-round pick to acquire Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles on June 1. Earlier in the game, Brown helped set up the Patriots' first touchdown by drawing a defensive pass interference penalty on an underthrown Maye deep ball, leading to a 2-yard touchdown pass to rookie tight end Eli Raridon.

The Patriots have an extended layoff until their Week 2 game against the Steelers at home on Sept. 20.