The New England Patriots ruled out wide receiver A.J. Brown and running back TreVeyon Henderson for Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins, leaving the offense without two of its most dynamic playmakers heading into a key AFC East matchup.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the decision Saturday after both players sat out Thursday and Friday practices. Brown is dealing with ankle and knee issues, while Henderson has an illness. The team also listed tackle Marcus Bryant as out.
Brown arrived in New England via a June trade with the Philadelphia Eagles that cost the Patriots a first-round pick. The three-time Pro Bowl receiver suffered a high-ankle sprain in the season opener against the Seattle Seahawks and spent four games on injured reserve. He has played in three games since returning and has nine catches for 101 yards.
Head coach Mike Vrabel addressed the situation Friday before the final designation.
“Yeah, I mean, just like everything else, when you come out of the game or a long week of practice on Monday, evaluate the player,” Vrabel said. “Yeah, just wasn’t able to be able to practice or finish practice on Wednesday, and so we continue to treat him, and then we’ll see where he is tomorrow.”
Brown’s absence thins the receiving corps further. Romeo Doubs and Mack Hollins are also sidelined, leaving Kyle Williams, DeMario Douglas and Efton Chism III as the primary options for quarterback Drake Maye.
Henderson’s second season has not matched his rookie production. The Ohio State product ran for 911 yards and nine touchdowns as a rookie. Through six games this year he has 203 yards on 52 carries and one touchdown, averaging 3.9 yards per attempt. He also has five receptions for 45 yards.
Patriots Hall of Famer Troy Brown criticized Henderson’s approach after the Week 7 loss to the Chicago Bears. “He’s just too fast and he reacts to things too fast,” Brown said.
Rhamondre Stevenson is expected to handle the bulk of the carries. He leads the team with 285 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 77 attempts, averaging 3.7 yards per carry. Stevenson has also caught 20 passes for 204 yards and a score.
The Patriots enter at 4-3 and are listed as seven-point favorites. The Dolphins are 1-5 after picking up their first win of the season last week against the New York Jets. Kickoff is set for 4:25 p.m. ET at Hard Rock Stadium.
New England has struggled in Miami in recent years, losing seven of its last nine games there. The Dolphins hold a historical edge in the series at the venue.
The injuries come as the Patriots try to bounce back from a 30-24 Thursday night loss to the Bears. Maye and the offense will look to establish the run and find production from a depleted wide receiver group.
Both Brown and Henderson had been listed as questionable on Friday’s injury report. Their downgrade to out was confirmed by the team Saturday.
Stevenson’s workload could increase significantly if the Patriots emphasize the ground game against a Dolphins defense that has allowed points at a high rate. Miami ranks near the bottom of the league in points allowed per game.
The matchup remains important for both teams in the AFC East standings. The Patriots sit second in the division behind the Buffalo Bills, while the Dolphins are last.
Maye has posted solid numbers through seven games, but the supporting cast has been inconsistent. Brown’s limited production since returning has been a particular concern for an offense that invested heavily in him during the offseason.
Henderson’s illness keeps him from trying to regain the explosiveness that defined stretches of his rookie year. The Patriots have leaned more on Stevenson in recent weeks as Henderson’s efficiency has dipped.
With Brown and Henderson unavailable, the Patriots’ depth will be tested on the road. The game offers a chance for younger receivers and the established running back to step into larger roles.
