Patriots WR A.J. Brown ruled out vs. Seahawks with ankle injury

SEATTLE — The New England Patriots traded for A.J. Brown this offseason with high hopes for how the talented wide receiver could transform their offense.

But after a quick start, it was a tough season opener for Brown, who suffered an ankle injury in the third quarter of Wednesday night’s game in Seattle against the Seahawks. Brown was ruled out for the remainder of the game after heading to the locker room for further examination.

Brown’s statistics — three catches for 23 yards — don’t speak to just how impactful he was against a talented Seahawks defense. He was wide open downfield on a third-down flea-flicker and drew a defensive pass-interference flag when the ball from Drake Maye was underthrown. That set up the lone touchdown of the first half.

Of course, it’s not yet known how long Brown will be out, but ankle injuries tend to linger for a couple of weeks.

Without Brown, Romeo Doubs becomes the Patriots’ top wide receiver, but the former Green Bay Packer was held without a catch in the first half.