One of the top headlines from the New England Patriots’ Week 1 loss to the Seattle Seahawks was the high ankle sprain suffered by star wide receiver A.J. Brown.

On Friday, it was revealed by ESPN’s Adam Schefter that the Patriots are placing Brown on injured reserve due to the injury, which will sideline him for a minimum of four games. That means the earliest eligible game for Brown to return will be New England’s Week 6 home game against the AFC East rival New York Jets.

For the Jets, Brown’s IR designation adds another fascinating storyline to their early-season slate, which is already rife with ruled-out stars on opposing rosters. The Jets are confirmed to avoid the following Pro Bowlers and All-Pros in the first three weeks alone:

  • Week 2: Packers EDGE Micah Parsons (PUP, ACL)
  • Week 2: Packers RB Josh Jacobs (commissioner’s exempt list; will be suspended if removed)
  • Week 3: Lions S Brian Branch (PUP, Achilles)
  • Week 3: Lions S Kerby Joseph (PUP, knee)

Now, there is a possibility that Brown will either miss the Week 6 contest or return in a limited capacity.

It is also possible that Brown makes his awaited return against the Jets and is ready to perform at peak capacity. However, given that Brown was placed on IR, he may have suffered a Grade 2 sprain, which often sidelines NFL players for 4-6 weeks. The severity and grade of Brown’s injury have yet to be reported, but at the very least, the IR designation suggests that Brown might need more than the minimum of four weeks to get back to full speed.

It is worth noting that, after their Oct. 18 home game against the Jets, the Patriots will turn around on a short week and fly to Chicago for a Thursday night game against the Bears on Oct. 22. That could prompt New England to wait a few extra days for Brown to return instead of forcing him to play on a quick turnaround after his first game back.

What happens to Brown from here is purely speculative at this point, but the bottom line is that another opposing big-time player on the Jets’ early-season schedule is banged up. It only further emphasizes a growing narrative as Week 1 approaches: the stars may be aligning for the Jets to make some real noise early in the year.