The New England Patriots will be shorthanded on offense when they visit the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. Wide receiver A.J. Brown has been ruled out of the Week 8 matchup, the team announced Saturday.

Brown is not the only absence. Running back TreVeyon Henderson, who has been working as New England's No. 2 back, was also ruled out after coming down with an illness this week.

The designations strip the Patriots of two key offensive pieces on the road. Brown's absence takes a top target out of the passing attack, while Henderson's illness thins the backfield rotation against a division rival.

ESPN, Yahoo Sports and NBC Sports all confirmed the rulings Saturday afternoon. The Patriots have not announced who will absorb the extra touches in either spot, leaving the final offensive plan unclear until closer to kickoff in Miami.