Patriots Rule Out A.J. Brown and TreVeyon Henderson for Dolphins Clash

The New England Patriots will head into Sunday’s matchup against the Miami Dolphins with a depleted roster after officially ruling out wide receiver A.J. Brown and running back TreVeyon Henderson. The team confirmed the absences on Saturday, creating significant gaps in the lineup for the upcoming road contest.

Brown’s unavailability stems from a knee issue that flared up during the week, complicating his recovery from a right high ankle sprain that had previously sidelined him. Meanwhile, Henderson has been ruled out due to an illness that kept him away from practice sessions on both Thursday and Friday.

Addressing the situation, coach Mike Vrabel noted that the team’s management of Brown’s workload and the recent knee injury are distinct matters. When questioned about whether Brown’s heavy snap count in his return games contributed to his current status, Vrabel stated that the team’s priority remains getting their best players on the field. Regarding the backfield, the absence of Henderson leaves Rhamondre Stevenson and Corey Kiner as the only available running backs on the active roster.

To address the thin depth, the Patriots have one vacancy on their 53-man roster and the option to elevate up to two players from the practice squad before the Saturday deadline. Candidates for potential elevation include fourth-year receiver Ryan Miller and first-year running back Lan Larison, as the team looks to bolster its ranks ahead of the trip to Miami.