New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown will miss Sunday’s road game against the Miami Dolphins after a knee issue flared up during the week, the team announced Saturday. The sudden absence leaves the Patriots thin at wide receiver and alters the offensive game plan for the matchup at Hard Rock Stadium.
Knee Injury Forces Late Week Sideline for Brown
Coach Mike Vrabel told reporters Friday that Brown simply was not able to finish that Wednesday session, leading medical staff to continue treatment.
Patriots downgrade A.J. Brown, TreVeyon Henderson to out on eve of Dolphins matchup https://t.co/VOaK4mIBkk
Before the knee flare-up, Brown acknowledged he was still managing the high ankle sprain he suffered during the season-opener, an injury that had initially landed him on injured reserve. In his first action since being designated to return from IR on October 14, Brown played 102 out of a possible 122 snaps across a win over the New York Jets on October 18 and a loss to the Chicago Bears on October 22. He admitted that playing two games in five days proved demanding, though he appreciated the extra days off afterward.
Roster Thinning Complicates Patriots Offense in Miami
The Patriots also ruled out running back TreVeyon Henderson due to an illness. Henderson missed practice Thursday and Friday, leaving New England with only Rhamondre Stevenson and Corey Kiner at running back on the 53-man roster.
With Brown and Henderson sidelined, the team faces roster decisions ahead of the league’s Saturday afternoon deadline. New England held one open spot on its 53-man roster and possessed the flexibility to elevate up to two players from the practice squad. Fourth-year receiver Ryan Miller and first-year running back Lan Larison emerged as candidates for elevation to the game-day roster.
Coaching Decisions and Receiver Depth Scrutinized
With Brown unavailable, DeMario “Pop” Douglas, Kyle Williams, and Efton Chism III remain the only healthy wide receivers on the active 53-man roster. Vrabel addressed questions regarding Brown’s heavy snap count prior to the new knee injury, maintaining that the team’s approach with his workload and the subsequent setback are separate issues. Vrabel stated that the team wants its best players on the field and considers Brown among them.
Neither the team nor medical staff have offered a timeline for Brown’s return beyond treating the knee issue ahead of subsequent weeks. The Patriots must navigate Sunday’s divisional matchup against the Dolphins relying heavily on their remaining depth at both skill positions.
