Patriots lose Brown and Henderson for Sunday game

The New England Patriots will play the Miami Dolphins on Sunday without wide receiver A.J. Brown and running back TreVeyon Henderson. Both players were listed as questionable for the AFC East matchup but were downgraded to out on Saturday.

Brown suffered a knee injury during mid-week practice. This new issue joins a high-ankle sprain he sustained in the season opener. The wide receiver spent four games on injured reserve after Week 1 and returned for the two most recent contests. He was unable to finish practice on Wednesday due to the knee flare-up.

Head coach Mike Vrabel addressed the situation at his Friday news conference. He stated that the team evaluates players after games and long weeks of practice. "Just like everything else, when you come out of the game or a long week or practice on Monday, you evaluate the player," Vrabel said. "He just wasn't able to practice or finish practice on Wednesday."

When asked if the team rushed Brown back, Vrabel called the ankle and knee issues separate matters. "I think those are separate issues here," the coach said. "I'm focused on today. I'm focused on getting the team ready to go down to Miami and win. That's what my focus is. I don't concern myself with things that you could waste time worrying about."

The Patriots acquired Brown from Philadelphia in the offseason, sending a 2028 first round pick and a 2027 fifth rounder. New England was aware of a degenerative knee condition prior to the trade. The front office decided the risk was manageable, but the injury has now kept him from the game against the Dolphins.

Running back TreVeyon Henderson is out with an illness. This is the second game he has missed this season. He sat out the opener with an ankle injury and also missed a game against the Raiders due to a high-ankle sprain, though he returned the following week.

The Patriots made roster moves on Saturday to fill the gaps. Running back Lan Larison was signed from the practice squad to the 53-man roster. He will join Rhamondre Stevenson and Corey Kiner in the backfield. Wide receiver Ryan Miller was also elevated from the practice squad. He will join DeMario Douglas, Kyle Williams, and Efton Chism at wide receiver.