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SEATTLE — Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown exited Wednesday’s season-opening game against the Seahawks with an ankle injury suffered in the third quarter. The team initially listed Brown as questionable to return, before downgrading him to out at the start of the fourth quarter. The injury happened on a third-down play during New England’s first drive of the second half. After quarterback Drake Maye’s throw intended for Brown fell incomplete, Brown remained on the ground holding his right ankle. Replay showed Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett’s knee landing on Brown’s ankle while he was trying to reach for the low pass. Brown appeared in obvious pain, while coach Mike Vrabel and the coaching staff ran onto the field. He was able to walk off the field, albeit slowly, under his own power and took off his helmet upon reaching the sideline. Brown had to wait a moment to enter the blue medical tent, because tight end Hunter Henry was already inside, but immediately went in once Henry exited. After several minutes, Brown emerged from the blue tent without his helmet or right cleat. He walked back to the locker room with trainers. Prior to his injury, Brown was moving well and caught three of his four targets for 26 yards. He also drew a pass interference penalty that set up a 2-yard touchdown pass from Maye to rookie tight end Eli Raridon. Brown served as a popular target for Maye on third down, with two of his three receptions converting for a first down. Without Brown, the Patriots have Romeo Doubs, Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams, DeMario Douglas, and Efton Chism available at wide receiver. The team traded Kayshon Boutte in August. Nicole Yang can be reached at nicole.yang@globe.com. Follow her on X @nicolecyang.