Patriots Make A.J. Brown Decision Before Dolphins Game

The New England Patriots ruled out A.J. Brown on Saturday for their game at Miami, a day after Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said the team would wait to see how the receiver came in. Running back TreVeyon Henderson is also out with an illness.

Brown had a knee issue flare up this week, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. He was limited Wednesday and could not finish that practice, then sat out Thursday and Friday. By Wednesday night, the injury report listed the knee alongside the right high ankle sprain from the season opener.

"Just wasn't able to finish practice on Wednesday, so we continue to treat him and we'll see where he is tomorrow," Vrabel said Friday.

Brown sprained the ankle in the 13-10 season-opening loss at Seattle and went on injured reserve. After the Patriots designated him to return Oct. 14, he played 102 of a possible 122 snaps across a win over the New York Jets on Oct. 18 and a loss to the Chicago Bears on Oct. 22.

Drake Maye threw to him 16 times in those two games. Brown caught six for 75 yards.

Two games in five days were "a lot for anyone," Brown said, and he was glad for the extra days off at the end of that stretch. On Wednesday, he was still hoping for a full week of practice.

The handling of Brown in those two games and the injury that kept him out Sunday are separate issues, in Vrabel's view.

"We want our best players to play and we consider him one of those," Vrabel explained. "Again, we're really here focused on trying to get a win on the road in the division and we'll make a decision on the guys that are questionable tomorrow."

The Patriots' medical staff knew about Brown's recurring knee issue before New England acquired him from Philadelphia, according to Sports Illustrated.

New England was already without receivers Mack Hollins and Romeo Doubs. DeMario Douglas, Kyle Williams, and Efton Chism III are the only healthy receivers on the 53-man roster, according to ESPN.

With Henderson out, Rhamondre Stevenson and Corey Kiner are the only running backs on the 53-man roster.

Maye has no designation. His right shoulder has kept him on the report since early October, when Vrabel tied it to the Week 3 loss at Jacksonville, but he practiced fully all week.

"He practiced full, didn't miss any reps," Vrabel said on Oct. 2.

Eight other Patriots were cleared Friday: offensive lineman Ben Brown (knee), safety Kevin Byard III (chest), tackle Marcus Bryant (ankle), cornerback Channing Canada (hamstring), defensive tackle DaQuan Jones (back), linebacker Dre'Mont Jones (shoulder), tackle Morgan Moses (foot), and cornerback Karon Prunty (hamstring).

Cornerback Carlton Davis III (neck) and linebacker Christian Elliss (chest) are questionable after practicing fully all week. Davis, Canada, and Prunty each missed four games earlier this season.

The Dolphins ruled out guard/tackle Kadyn Proctor with a concussion. Cornerbacks JuJu Brents (neck/concussion) and Reese Taylor (quad) are questionable.

Quarterback Malik Willis (groin) and running back Jaylen Wright (foot/quad) practiced fully all week and carry no designation for Miami. Wide receivers Malik Washington and Jared Wayne were limited Thursday with knee injuries before practicing fully Friday.

New England had 10 days off after the Thursday night loss in Chicago. The 4-3 Patriots were seven-point favorites at DraftKings on Friday against the 1-5 Dolphins, and kickoff at Hard Rock Stadium is 4:25 p.m. ET.