A.J. Brown’s Week 1 ankle injury with the Patriots immediately clouds his 2026 receiving outlook after he exited early against the Seahawks with just 26 yards on three catches. The veteran wideout, acquired from Philadelphia in a June trade for a 2028 first-round pick and 2027 fifth-rounder, was positioned as Drake Maye’s clear top target following four straight 1,000-yard seasons capped by 1,003 yards in 2025. Official injury reports and coach Mike Vrabel’s lack of immediate updates leave open the possibility of a multi-week absence, particularly if a high-ankle sprain is confirmed. His established target share and the Patriots’ passing volume provide a strong baseline if he returns quickly, though the early setback introduces meaningful uncertainty for total yardage accumulation across 17 games.