A.J. Brown (ankle) done for the day vs. Seahawks

This doesn’t come as much of a surprise after it was reported on Thursday that Brown could miss at least the next four games. Now that he finds himself on injured reserve, the star receiver won’t be able to return until at least Week 6 when the Patriots play host to the Jets. Brown caught just three passes for 26 yards in his debut with the Patriots before exiting the game. After running just four routes in the first half of Wednesday’s game, Mack Hollins ran 22 routes in the second half and should see an increase in snaps in the coming weeks. Brown’s absence should also pave the way for Romeo Doubs to see more looks in the passing game after he saw just three targets in Week 1.

NFL insider Jordan Schultz puts Brown’s return timeline between 3 and 6 weeks. Both reports make Brown a candidate to be placed on short-term injured reserve. The rest of the Patriots’ wide receiver corps failed to step up in Week 1. Newcomer WR Romeo Doubs will undoubtedly be given a chance to earn his hefty contract in Week 2.

Garafolo added, “MRI today after X-rays were negative.” That’s a good sign, but there is currently no timeline for Brown’s return. It will ultimately be a multi-week injury that could linger well into the season. Demario Douglas led the Pats with seven targets last night, though his looks are generally low-value check-downs. Mack Hollins and Romeo Doubs will serve as the team’s primary outside receivers until Brown is healthy. Hollins led the Pats in receiving yards at a modest 51. Hollins is worth adding in deeper leagues, but it’s hard to imagine him putting up anything more than WR4 numbers while Brown is sidelined. Doubs should improve in Week 2 after failing to catch any of his three targets versus the Seahawks. He will get another shot at WR3 numbers against Pittsburgh next week.

Romeo Doubs said to reporters after the game that Brown told teammates, “Everything was going to be alright.” He added that Brown was doing really well. Brown had his ankle rolled on while going to the ground in the third quarter of last night’s game. He immediately grabbed his ankle in pain and eventually limped off the field. New England ruled him out after a trip to the locker room. It sounds like a high-ankle sprain, which would sideline Brown for at least a few weeks. Mack Hollins and Romeo Doubs will both play more in his absence. Demario Douglas, who led the team with seven targets in Week 1, will also see more work.

Seattle shut down the Patriots’ deep passing game, forcing Drake Maye to pepper Douglas with low-value check-downs. Douglas wound up leading the Pats in targets and catches. He finished fifth in receiving yards. With A.J. Brown banged up, Douglas could be in line for another smattering of targets next week versus the Steelers. Even with Brown out, Douglas would barely register as a PPR WR5.

Doubs was blanketed in coverage all night. He failed to climb the ladder and win a jump ball early in the fourth quarter, resulting in a deflected ball turning into an interception. Later in the quarter, Doubs turned his eyes upfield before securing the pass and let the ball slip out of his hands for a drop. Drake Maye was intercepted on the next play. By any measure, this was a catastrophic debut for a player who signed a four-year, $68 million contract in the offseason. The good news for Doubs is that the team will likely be counting on him to step up next week. A.J. Brown left this game with an ankle injury and did not return. If he isn’t available for Week 2 versus the Steelers, Doubs will get one more chance at a WR3 fantasy ranking.

Hollins got on the field plenty early in the game, but his snaps were heavily tilted toward blocking duties. Once A.J. Brown went down with an ankle injury, the Pats were forced to play him in a more traditional role. He wound up leading the team in receiving yards, though that largely speaks to the Pats’ struggles through the air. Hollins would be in line for more work if Brown is unable to suit up next week. He would be a low-end WR5 sans Brown, making him a low-wattage add off the waiver wire.

Brown had his ankle rolled on while attempting to corral a low pass in the third quarter. He limped off the field and went directly into the blue medical tent. He eventually walked into the locker room under his own power. Mack Hollins and Romeo Doubs will serve as New England’s primary outside wideouts while Brown is sidelined. Demario Douglas could also see some extra run out of the slot.

Doubs was absent yesterday as well. Reiss believes that Doubs’ injury “likely isn’t anything serious,” but notes Doubs “appeared slightly hobbled in recent days.” On Saturday, Patriots on CLNS reporter Tyler Kyles reported that Doubs “may have tweaked his ankle.” We are not overly concerned about this. It would be nice to see him return soon, though.

Boutte, according to Patriots beat writers and coaches, has functioned as Drake Maye’s favorite target, especially downfield, while A.J. Brown struggles to connect with Maye while dealing with consistent coverage from all-pro CB Christian Gonzalez. “If [Boutte] keeps this up, he’s either increasing his value on the trade market or playing his way into a meaningful role with the Pats,” Graff said. Boutte had been rumored as a trade candidate after the Patriots acquired Brown and Romeo Doubs this offseason. He should be drafted in all 12-team fantasy formats in the coming weeks.