What happened: Wide receiver A.J. Brown and running back TreVeyon Henderson have been downgraded to out for Sunday's matchup against the Dolphins. Brown is sidelined by a knee injury, while Henderson will not play due to an illness. Both players had previously missed Friday practice before New England officially ruled them out Saturday.

Why it matters: The absences leave New England shorthanded at the skill positions as the offense looks to stabilize after a 30-24 road defeat against the Bears. At 4-3 and holding the eighth seed in the AFC playoff race, the Patriots face a crucial division road test in South Florida without two of their primary playmakers.

What to watch: New England visits the Dolphins on Sunday, with kickoff scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET as the team adjusts its offensive rotation.