A.J. Brown apologized to Romeo Doubs on Tuesday after an awkward post-touchdown moment in the New England Patriots’ Week 6 win over the Jets left the receiver with a shoulder injury that sent him to injured reserve.
Doubs hauled in a 42-yard score from Drake Maye in the first quarter, then stayed down after landing hard on the play.
Brown, back from his own high ankle sprain and seeing his first action of the season, rushed over and grabbed Doubs by the pads in an attempt to yank him up for a celebration.
He only realized something was wrong once Doubs showed clear discomfort.
“I didn’t realize Romeo Doubs was hurt until after I picked him up and he showed he was in discomfort,” Brown told reporters. “I apologized to him for jostling him after he got hurt.”
Video of the sequence circulated quickly, showing Brown and DeMario Douglas both trying to get Doubs upright while he remained on the turf. The incident added an uncomfortable layer to what had already been a painful play.
Doubs, in his first season in New England after signing a four-year, $68 million deal in free agency, has led the Patriots in receiving yards with 261 through five games.
He had operated as the de facto top target while Brown recovered on injured reserve after getting hurt in Week 1.
The team placed Doubs on injured reserve Monday, meaning he will miss at least the next four weeks.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that the Patriots do not currently expect the absence to stretch into a longer-term issue, though the shoulder injury still leaves the receiving room thinner just as Brown returns to form.
Brown himself had a quiet statistical day in his comeback, catching three passes for 27 yards on 10 targets, but the offense still produced three touchdown passes from Maye in a 26-19 victory.
The moment between the two receivers underscored the fine line between celebration and caution on a football field.
Brown’s quick acknowledgment and apology reflected an awareness of how easily good intentions can complicate an already difficult situation.
With Doubs sidelined for the immediate future, New England will look to its remaining pass catchers and Brown’s continued integration into the offense as the schedule moves forward.
The Patriots face a quick turnaround against the Bears later this week, and the health of the wide receiver group will remain a central concern in the weeks ahead.
