Patriots downgrade A.J. Brown and TreVeyon Henderson to out at Miami

The New England Patriots downgraded wide receiver A.J. Brown and running back TreVeyon Henderson to out on Saturday for Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins. ESPN's Adam Schefter and NFL Network's Mike Garafolo both posted the move early Saturday afternoon, and Garafolo added that offensive lineman Marcus Bryant was also downgraded.

Here is what's confirmed. Both players entered Saturday as questionable after Friday's final injury report, and both are now out for the 4:25 PM ET kickoff in Miami on CBS. Underdog NFL lists Brown's injuries as ankle and knee and Henderson's as an illness.

Brown's week went the wrong way. He was limited Wednesday with the ankle, then missed Thursday's practice when his knee flared up. He came off injured reserve on Oct. 17 after a high-ankle sprain, so this is the second time this season the ankle has cost him games.

Henderson also sat out Thursday's practice. He suffered a high-ankle sprain of his own against the Raiders on Oct. 11, and the illness listing is new.

What is still open: whether either absence goes past this week. Nobody has reported an IR move for either player, and the Patriots have given no timeline.

For RSO owners, get both out of your lineup now. The game kicks off in the late afternoon window, so if you have a Brown or Henderson slot to fill, you can still pick from the 1 PM players or anyone available in the late games.

Brown owners should hold. A knee issue layered on a high-ankle sprain is worth monitoring, but one missed game is not a reason to sell a top receiver at a discount. If a rival is panicking about him this week, that is a fair time to make an offer.

Henderson owners should hold as well. An illness usually clears in days, and his ankle history is a bigger long-term question than this week's absence.

What to watch next: New England's Wednesday practice report for its next game. A full or limited session from Brown would ease concern about the knee. Another missed practice would raise the chance of a longer absence. Also watch who gets the receiver targets on Sunday, since that player could hold real value if Brown's knee lingers.