Patriots Rule Out A.J. Brown and TreVeyon Henderson for Week 9 vs. Dolphins

Wide receiver A.J. Brown and running back TreVeyon Henderson have been ruled out for Sunday's game in Miami due to knee and illness issues.

The New England Patriots officially ruled out wide receiver A.J. Brown and No. 2 running back TreVeyon Henderson for Sunday’s road game against the Miami Dolphins. According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, Henderson will miss the contest due to an illness after being absent from practice on Thursday and Friday. Brown was sidelined following a knee issue that flared up during Wednesday's practice, a setback Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports is separate from the right high ankle sprain that previously placed the receiver on injured reserve.

Brown’s absence leaves the Patriots with only three healthy receivers on the 53-man roster: DeMario "Pop" Douglas, Kyle Williams, and Efton Chism III. Before the knee injury, Brown had played 102 of 122 possible snaps in games against the Jets and Bears following his Oct. 14 return from IR. Coach Mike Vrabel noted on Friday that Brown was unable to finish Wednesday's session, despite the receiver's earlier claims that he intended to play through lingering ankle soreness.

With Henderson unavailable, the backfield is reduced to Rhamondre Stevenson and Corey Kiner. The team has until 4 p.m. ET Saturday to utilize an open 53-man roster spot or elevate up to two practice squad players. Top candidates for elevation include fourth-year receiver Ryan Miller and first-year running back Lan Larison.