Patriots place A.J. Brown on injured reserve; earliest return is October 18

The Patriots placed A.J. Brown on injured reserve Saturday, confirming the move that had been reported Friday. New England announced the transaction together with the signing of defensive tackle DaQuan Jones, who fills the open roster spot. Read the team announcement. Brown must miss the games against Pittsburgh, Jacksonville, Buffalo and Las Vegas. The earliest he is eligible to play again is October 18 against the Jets; eligibility does not establish that he will be medically ready. The Patriots’ update identifies that four-game minimum. Brown left the opener after three catches for 26 yards. ESPN reported that Mack Hollins took most of Brown's role after the exit. Romeo Doubs was held without a catch in the opener, while DeMario Douglas handled slot work and Kyle Williams and Efton Chism supplied additional depth. New England has several options for covering the vacancy; their next game will offer a clearer view of the rotation. Brown arrived in New England in a June 1 trade with Philadelphia. The Patriots sent a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick for him. His Patriots player page lists 78 catches for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns with Philadelphia in 2025, a résumé that explains why the offense will have to redistribute a meaningful share of its designed targets. For fantasy managers, Hollins is the first name to monitor because he absorbed the immediate role, but that usage does not guarantee a matching target share on Sundays. Douglas may gain volume in the slot, and Williams or Chism could see more snaps depending on personnel packages. Check that your provider has actually made Brown IR eligible before moving him. A high ankle sprain and a four-game minimum create a useful planning window, but they do not establish a guaranteed recovery date. Treat the replacement as a weekly volume bet and keep expectations flexible until the Patriots clarify the rotation.