Patriots rule out two offensive players ahead of season finale

The New England Patriots have ruled out two offensive starters for their final game of the 2023 season. 

On Friday afternoon, the Patriots announced that Trent Brown (illness) and Hunter Henry (knee) will be out against the Jets on Sunday. Both players are set to be free agents this offseason.

 After being listed as a healthy scratch last week, Brown didn’t practice all week as he battled an illness. During his Friday press conference, Bill Belichick said Trent Brown had “flu-like symptoms.” Meanwhile, Henry was a partial participant on Wednesday and Thursday. The tight end didn’t practice on Friday.

Even if Brown was healthy to play, it’s unclear if he would be available. 

 “After a surprising upset at Pittsburgh, Brown openly discussed plans to play for an NFC team in the team locker room,” according to the Boston Herald.

Without the tackle suiting up, it should mark another start for Vederian Lowe at left tackle. Meanwhile, without Hunter Henry, the Patriots could choose to elevate TE Matt Sokol from the practice squad. The Patriots have promoted Sokol in the past two weeks in the absence of Henry. Reiccviers DeVante Parker and Tyquan Thornton are also quesiotanble. The team could be down to Jalen Reagor, DeMario Douglas, and Kayshon Boutte in the receiver room.

The Patriots listed 12 players as questionable: 

DL Christian Barmore, Knee

TE Pharaoh Brown, Ribs

DB Myles Bryant, Illness

TE Hunter Henry, Knee

LB Anfernee Jennings, Knee

CB Jonathan Jones, Knee

S Jalen Mills, Ankle

WR DeVante Parker, Ribs

S Jabrill Peppers, Hamstring

ST Matthew Slater’s hamstring

LB Jahlani Tavai, Tooth

WR Tyquan Thornton, Ankle

CB Shaun Wade, Hip

The Patriots and Jets kick-off at Gillette Stadium at 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday.