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The A.J. Brown era in New England is off to a bad start after the star wideout suffered an injury in the Patriots' Week 1 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Brown exited the contest in the third quarter with an ankle injury. NFL Network's Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport report that the X-rays came back negative for a fracture, which is good news, but the belief is that Brown has a high-ankle sprain, which could keep him out from anywhere between three to six weeks, depending on the severity. "The preliminary diagnosis on Patriots WR A.J. Brown is a high-ankle sprain, sources tell me and Ian Rapoport," Garafolo reported. "MRI today after X-rays were negative. Timeline for his return is TBD." Luckily for the Patriots, who are now wishing they didn't trade Kayshon Boutte to the Houston Texans last month, there's a solid veteran wide receiver who just became available in free agency. Patriots should sign Darius Slayton in free agency The New York Giants surprisingly released veteran wide receiver Darius Slayton this week. It was a surprise because the Giants were already thin at wide receiver and could ill-afford to let go of a productive player like Slayton. While the 29-year-old won't be able to fully replace what Brown can do on the football field, he would give New England a solid option in the passing game. Slayton has posted 500 yards or more in six of his seven seasons in the NFL, and four of those seasons have seen him top out with over 700 yards. Sure, we'd love to see the Patriots do something bigger under the circumstances, but that bigger move just might not be available at this early stage in the 2026 campaign. Slayton would be a good band-aid to help weather the storm as long as Brown is sidelined. More NFL News Ashton Jeanty injury update all but confirms RB's Week 1 status Dan Campbell muddies the water for Lions' running back plan Hypothetical Patriots-Giants trade sees New York get ridiculous return Bold Steelers-Lions trade prediction sees blockbuster player for pick swap Bucs GM explains what Baker Mayfield does better than Tom Brady