Their season opener against the Seattle Seahawks did not go the way the New England Patriots would have hoped. Not only did they let a 10-0 lead slip out of their grasp behind a three-interception performance from their starting quarterback, they also lost one of their most important offensive skill position players to what projects as a multi-week injury.
Obviously, all eyes are on A.J. Brown and his sprained ankle coming out of the game. But as a look at our weekly injury analysis shows, he was
not the only Patriot to get banged up during the 13-10 defeat on Wednesday night.
Patriots injury analysis: NFL Week 1
CB Carlton Davis III: Davis was shaken up midway through the first quarter while helping to blow up a run play. He remained down on one knee, but jogged off with members of New England’s training staff shortly thereafter. Following a brief stay in the blue medical tent, he returned to the sidelines and eventually reentered. the contest on the next defensive series.
TE Hunter Henry: Henry took a hard hit on the first play from scrimmage in the second half, landing on his back after a 13-yard reception. He left the field under his own power and entered the medical tent for further evaluation, but returned to the game a short time later.
WR A.J. Brown: The big one. Brown remained on the ground after an incomplete third-down attempt, with medical personnel and even head coach Mike Vrabel checking in on him on the field. He limped off the field into the medical tent, and later gingerly walked back to the locker room albeit under his own power. Follow-up evaluation done on Thursday found out that he had suffered a high-ankle sprain.
C Jared Wilson: The Patriots’ starting center had to be evaluated on the sideline after suffering an apparent cut on his right snapping hand during the first series of the second half, the same that saw Henry and Brown get shaken up. He ended up playing all 71 offensive snaps.
RT Morgan Moses: During his Monday press conference, head coach Mike Vrabel listed Moses among other players suffering injuries in the game. There was no obvious moment an injury might have occurred, however, and he did end up playing 100% of New England’s offensive snaps.
What this means for the Patriots
Losing A.J. Brown just 31 snaps into his Patriots debut is an obvious blow to an offense that already had a hard time stringing consistent plays together versus the Seahawks with him on the field. Now, the unit will have to find a way to operate with Romeo Doubs, DeMario Douglas, Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams and Efton Chism as its primary wide receivers — a group that will be in the spotlight over the coming games.
Based on Wednesday and his role throughout the summer, Williams in particular should see an uptick in reps as the primary X-receiver. Hollins, who does have some good chemistry with Drake Maye, also will continue to be heavily involved.
For how long Brown will be out remains to be seen. According to reports, the expected recovery range for his type of sprain is somewhere between four and six weeks. This means that short-term injured reserve, which would sideline him for a minimum of four weeks, appears to be a realistic if ultimately disappointing possibility.
As for the other players listed above, they do not appear to have suffered any long-term issues.
“Morgan Moses was able to return. Hunter Henry was able to return. Carlton Davis III was able to return,” said Mike Vrabel on Thursday. “Probably some bumps and bruises, but I do not think anything that would keep anybody out. A.J. Brown is one we will have to monitor.”
Coming off their season opener, the Patriots will enjoy a 10-day break before their home opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
