Patriots rule out A.J. Brown and TreVeyon Henderson vs Packers

Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said Friday that wide receiver A.J. Brown (ankle, knee) and running back TreVeyon Henderson (illness) will not play Sunday against the Green Bay Packers. Mike Reiss of ESPN and WEEI both carried Vrabel's ruling, and Underdog NFL posted matching out tags for each player.

What's confirmed. Brown has not practiced this week and is ruled out for Week 9, per Vrabel and Reiss. He will miss a second straight game after sitting at Miami. Henderson is also officially out for Sunday after missing the week with illness, closing any late hope he might clear after his Friday medical statement.

How Brown got here. Brown spent four games on injured reserve with a high-ankle sprain from the opener, returned for two games, then reappeared on the report with knee and ankle concerns. Wednesday's DNP started the Week 9 practice miss; Friday's out call from Vrabel is the escalation from that absence to a confirmed inactive.

How Henderson got here. New England had listed Henderson away with illness earlier in the week. On Friday he said he had an unexpected medical emergency with unexplained neurological symptoms that required several days in the hospital, with testing he called positive and reassuring. RSO already covered that statement. This piece is the Week 9 availability call that followed it.

Who gets the work. Expect Rhamondre Stevenson to pace the backfield again, with Corey Kiner and Lan Larison in line for complementary carries, the same pattern New England used when Henderson sat at Miami. At receiver, the healthy wideouts and tight ends carry the plan while Brown sits. Hunter Henry (foot) and Marcus Jones (foot) are among Friday's questionables, so check final inactives before locking TE or secondary streams.

What RSO owners should do now. Sit Brown and Henderson for Sunday's 4:25 PM ET kickoff. Prefer Stevenson as the Patriots RB play if he is on your roster or available. Keep Henderson rostered in dynasty and contract formats until there is a clearer medical timeline. Do not treat Brown as a game-time decision this week.

What to watch next. Saturday elevations and Sunday inactives for Henry and Jones. The next practice note on Brown's knee and ankle, and any further medical update on Henderson.