A.J. Brown sits out Wednesday practice as Patriots prep for Green Bay

New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown will not practice Wednesday, head coach Mike Vrabel told reporters before the session. ESPN's Mike Reiss relayed the update, and Vrabel added that running back TreVeyon Henderson and defensive tackle Christian Barmore are away from the team with an illness.

Here is what's confirmed. Underdog NFL lists Brown's injuries as ankle and knee and Henderson's as an illness, the same listings both players carried when New England ruled them out of last Sunday's 24-19 win at Miami. The Patriots host the Green Bay Packers on Sunday at 4:25 PM ET.

Brown's trouble started last week. He was limited last Wednesday with the ankle, sat out Thursday when his knee flared up, and was downgraded to out on Saturday. He came off injured reserve on Oct. 17 after a high-ankle sprain, so the ankle has now cost him time twice this season.

Henderson's illness is the bigger surprise. He missed the Miami game with it, and being away from the facility again on Wednesday means it has lingered for most of a week.

What is still open: Vrabel gave no timeline for either player, and nobody has reported an IR move. One Wednesday absence does not decide Sunday, especially with a late kickoff.

For RSO owners, keep both on your roster and plan a backup for Sunday now. If you start Brown, line up a late-window receiver you can swap in, since the Patriots play at 4:25 PM ET and you'll know his status before kickoff. Henderson owners should do the same at running back and avoid dropping him over an illness.

Don't sell Brown low. Two straight weeks of ankle and knee trouble lowers his short-term value, but a rival asking about him this week is more likely trying to buy cheap than offering fair value. If you're contending and thin at receiver, an extra depth add makes more sense than a trade.

What to watch next: Thursday's and Friday's practice reports. Any work from Brown, even limited, would point toward him playing against Green Bay. A second missed day would make a second straight absence likely. Also watch whether Henderson returns to the building by Thursday.