A.J. Brown's High Ankle Sprain Leaves the Patriots Offense Running on Fumes

The New England Patriots managed just 10 points in their season opener, and somehow, the vibes just got significantly worse. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter and Mike Reiss, an MRI confirmed that star wide receiver A.J. Brown suffered a high ankle sprain in Wednesday's 13-10 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

Brown is expected to be sidelined for at least four weeks. That is a massive blow for a New England offense that already looked like it was operating in quicksand during the opener.

"Story via Mike Reiss and Adam Schefter"

High ankle sprains are the absolute worst kind of lower-body injury for a wide receiver. It is the structural equivalent of trying to run go-routes on a flat tire. Even when a player comes back in a month, they usually spend another three weeks looking like they are running in work boots.

Losing your top target changes the entire math for this team. Bettors who were already skeptical of the Patriots' scoring potential are going to hammer the under on whatever adjusted team totals the books roll out next week. You simply do not replace an alpha receiver with a collection of secondary options and expect the chains to keep moving.

For now, the Patriots have to figure out how to manufacture points without their best weapon. Fantasy managers need to hit the waiver wire immediately, and New England fans need to brace for a very long, very low-scoring month of football.