What placing A.J. Brown on IR, signing DaQuan Jones means for the Patriots

Two days after leaving New England’s season opener with a high-ankle sprain, the Patriots have placed wide receiver A.J. Brown on injured reserve. The 29-year-old will be sidelined for at least the next four games before he’s eligible to return. Replacing Brown on the 53-man roster won’t be another receiver, but a defensive lineman: DaQuan Jones, a 34-year-old free agent who last played for Buffalo, joined the team on a reported one-year, $3.5 million deal. The piece notes that high-ankle sprains often require four to six weeks, making IR a practical decision even if a faster recovery occurs. Brown’s absence spans Weeks 2-5, including games versus Pittsburgh, Jacksonville, Buffalo, and Las Vegas. The injury also shifts pressure to the Patriots’ remaining wideouts, led by Romeo Doubs, who had an underwhelming regular-season debut.