Patriots Rule Out A.J. Brown, TreVeyon Henderson vs. Dolphins

A.J. Brown won't play in Miami after all. The Patriots downgraded their top receiver from questionable to out for Sunday's game against the Dolphins, along with running back TreVeyon Henderson and tackle Marcus Bryant, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported Saturday.

Brown's problem is a knee issue that flared up during Wednesday's practice. He was limited that day, then missed Thursday and Friday. The knee is on top of the right high ankle sprain he suffered in the season opener, which put him on injured reserve. "Just wasn't able to finish practice on Wednesday, so we continue to treat him," Mike Vrabel said Friday.

The Patriots didn't ease him back in. After returning from IR, Brown played 102 of a possible 122 snaps in the Oct. 18 win over the Jets and the Oct. 22 loss to the Bears, two games in five days. Vrabel told ESPN's Mike Reiss the workload and the knee injury are "separate issues," adding, "We want our best players to play and we consider him one of those." Brown has nine catches for 101 yards in his three games.

His absence leaves New England thin at receiver. DeMario "Pop" Douglas (23 catches, 256 yards, three touchdowns), Kyle Williams and Efton Chism III are the only healthy wideouts on the 53-man roster, and practice-squad receiver Ryan Miller is a candidate to be elevated before Saturday's 4 p.m. ET deadline.

Henderson is out with an illness after missing practice Thursday and Friday. That leaves Rhamondre Stevenson (285 rushing yards, two touchdowns) and Corey Kiner as the only running backs on the active roster, with practice-squad back Lan Larison another elevation option.

The 4-3 Patriots visit the 1-5 Dolphins at 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday.