The New England Patriots came into the 2026 season with high expectations, but they have gotten off to a nightmare start so far in 2026. Star wide receiver A.J. Brown got injured in New England's season opener, and the offense has struggled over the first three weeks as a result.

Now, New England is just trying to play it out until Brown is able to get back on the field. He is dealing with a high-ankle sprain and is on injured reserve, making him eligible to return to the lineup in Week 6. As of now, that is when Patriots are hoping to get him back, via Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.

“The hope is that he'll be back Week 6,” Garafolo said. “Now that's a hope, it's not a firm one. That's when he's eligible to return, but we'll see how that goes.”

The Patriots traded a first-round pick for Brown this offseason after it became clear that the star wideout's time with the Philadelphia Eagles would be coming into the end. He was supposed to give Drake Maye the No. 1 wideout that he hadn't had to this point in his career, but his injury has left this offense in a tough spot.

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Stefon Diggs is also gone from last year's team, and Kayshon Boutte was traded to the Houston Texans during the preseason. Those losses, combined with the injury to Brown, have left this Patriots receiving core decimated.

As a result, Maye has been struggling mightily to start this season. Through three games, Maye has just one touchdown pass to six interceptions. He hit rock bottom in Week 3 in a blowout loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, when he had three atrocious turnovers as the New England offense struggled to get going.

The Patriots have another tough task ahead of them in Week 4 when they take on the Buffalo Bills as they look to avoid a 1-3 start. Maye and company will have to figure out how to turn things around a bit in order to stay in the AFC playoff race until Brown works his way back from injury.