The Miami Dolphins will face the New England Patriots without wide receiver A.J. Brown and running back TreVeyon Henderson on Sunday after both players were ruled out Saturday.
New England’s updated Week 8 injury report lists Brown out with ankle and knee injuries and Henderson out with an illness. Both had been questionable Friday after missing the final two practices of the week.
The decisions resolve two of the biggest questions from Thursday’s Dolphins-Patriots injury update. Miami can now prepare for a New England offense missing both players rather than waiting for their status to be settled before kickoff.
Offensive tackle Marcus Bryant was also ruled out with an ankle injury. Patriots cornerback Carlton Davis III and linebacker Christian Elliss remained questionable.
Patriots add replacements before facing Dolphins
New England signed running back Lan Larison to its 53-man roster and elevated receiver Ryan Miller from the practice squad Saturday.
Miller gives the matchup a familiar name for Miami fans. The Dolphins released him Oct. 13, and he joined New England’s practice squad Oct. 29.
His elevation gives him an opportunity to face the team he played for earlier this season. Larison has already appeared for the Patriots this year.
In the season opener at Seattle, he caught two passes for nine yards and returned two kickoffs for 49 yards, giving New England a replacement with experience in both phases.
What the absences change for Miami’s defense
New England’s Saturday roster analysis identifies DeMario Douglas, Efton Chism III and Kyle Williams as its three healthy receivers on the 53-man roster.
Romeo Doubs and Mack Hollins are on injured reserve, leaving Miller to supplement an already depleted group.
That makes the tight ends worth watching for Miami. Hunter Henry and Eli Raridon remain available to Drake Maye, and using them together would give New England another way to fill out its passing formations.
More two-tight-end snaps are a possibility, not an announced game plan. Rhamondre Stevenson remains the central concern in the backfield.
The Patriots’ analysis notes that he played 64.8 percent of their offensive snaps over the past four games, so Henderson’s absence does not remove the back who has been handling most of the recent workload.
Corey Kiner and Larison provide the remaining options. Miami still has its own availability questions.
As detailed in Friday’s Dolphins injury report, cornerbacks JuJu Brents and Reese Taylor were questionable, while Kadyn Proctor was ruled out.
Brown’s absence reduces the receiving threats Miami must cover, but the Dolphins’ final cornerback group remains another part of Sunday’s matchup to settle.
