The New England Patriots will play Sunday's road game against the Miami Dolphins without two key pieces of their offense. Wide receiver A.J. Brown and running back TreVeyon Henderson have both been ruled out, the team announced Saturday.

Brown had a knee issue flare up this week. Henderson, the team's No. 2 running back, is out with an illness after missing practice on Thursday and Friday.

To fill an open roster spot, New England signed first-year running back Lan Larison from its practice squad. The Patriots also elevated fourth-year receiver Ryan Miller for the game.

A heavy workload after IR

Brown was limited in practice Wednesday. Later that day his injury report listing added the knee to the right high ankle sprain he suffered in the season opener, which had sent him to injured reserve.

"Just wasn't able to finish practice on Wednesday, so we continue to treat him," coach Mike Vrabel said Friday.

Since returning, Brown has played as if he had never been gone. He was on the field for 102 of a possible 122 snaps in a win over the New York Jets on Oct. 18 and a loss to the Chicago Bears on Oct. 22. He admitted that two games in five days was "a lot for anyone."

Earlier in the week Brown said he still did not have his usual burst on every play but refused to make excuses. "None of that stuff matters. I'm out here, so I'm going," he said.

Vrabel said the workload and the injury that will keep Brown out Sunday are "separate issues here." Asked whether Brown would have been better off with fewer snaps, he said: "We want our best players to play and we consider him one of those."

Thin at receiver and running back

Without Brown, DeMario "Pop" Douglas, Kyle Williams and Efton Chism III are the only healthy receivers on the 53-man roster. With Henderson out, Rhamondre Stevenson, Corey Kiner and Larison are the running backs.