The Patriots Beat Miami With A.J. Brown Out and Then Lost Hunter Henry. Vrabel's Monday Answers: 'We'll See,' 'No Expectations Yet' and 'Potentially, Yeah'

Mike Vrabel's Monday press conference after the Patriots' Week 8 win over Miami was a medical chart with a microphone. Here is what he said, and what he didn't, per Patriots Wire's rundown from Gillette Stadium.

<h3>A.J. Brown's knee</h3>

Brown popped up on the injury report last Wednesday with a new knee injury, missed practice the next two days, was listed questionable and then downgraded to out before the team traveled. He has already had one stint on injured reserve this season, and some reports have suggested he could go back on it, Patriots Wire noted.

Vrabel wouldn't go there. 'Yeah, we'll see. We'll see how he progresses here through the week,' he said. 'He's been getting treatment here, and we'll see when we get to Wednesday what those guys that were unavailable for the game look like, and then also whatever came up here during the game.'

Translation: Wednesday's practice report is the first real answer.

<h3>Hunter Henry's foot</h3>

Then the new one. Henry left the Miami game with a foot injury and did not return. 'I don't have any expectations yet. We'll see how he responds here,' Vrabel said. 'He wasn't able to finish the game. So, we'll see where he is, and I know Hunter will do everything that he can to get back to help us, and we'll go from there.'

If you're keeping score, that's the top wideout and the veteran tight end both in question for Drake Maye in the same week.

<h3>Some help coming back</h3>

The good news is two players are eligible to return from injured reserve this week: wide receiver Mack Hollins and fullback Reggie Gilliam. Asked whether they could play, Vrabel said, 'Potentially, yeah. Again, those guys are all working hard. We've got a long list of those guys,' crediting the training and performance staffs led by Jim Whalen and Frank Piraino with managing the return-to-play process.

Hollins gives Maye a big body on the outside if Brown can't go. Gilliam is a special-teams and blocking piece that this offense has missed.

<h3>The kicker</h3>

Andy Borregales has missed field goals from 40, 38 and 47 yards this season, plus one extra point. Vrabel didn't dodge it. 'He has, and that needs to get corrected. I've got a lot of confidence in Andy,' he said. 'I think when you see the timing and when the approach is in rhythm, it looks really good. We have to make our kicks. Everybody has a job here.'

He added that Borregales did 'a really nice job on the kickoff with the ball placement,' and joked, 'Hopefully, he's making a lot of extra points and not having to kick a lot of field goals.' He didn't indicate the team plans to bring in other kickers this week.

<h3>The Henderson question</h3>

The Patriots signed running back Lan Larison to the active roster despite having two practice-squad elevations left, which sparked speculation that TreVeyon Henderson, who missed Sunday's game with an illness, could be a trade candidate, Patriots Wire reported. Vrabel's answer: 'Well, we just had a spot open and felt like that would give us some flexibility down the road.'

That's a non-answer, and I'm labeling my read as a read: 'flexibility down the road' is exactly what a coach says whether a trade is coming or not. Nothing on the record says Henderson is being shopped.

<h3>Credit where it's due</h3>

Vrabel praised Rhamondre Stevenson's do-everything game, including his role on the late onside kick: 'by his actions, it's always easy.' And on defensive lineman Cory Durden: 'if he plays a certain way with his pad level and plays with extension, that he can impact games. When he gets high and looks for the ball too soon, sometimes they block him.'

Wednesday is the date to circle. Vrabel said himself that's when the team will see what the players who were unavailable look like, along with whatever came up during the Miami game. Watch the practice report.

<h3>Dez's take</h3>

This team is winning with tape and glue. Brown and Henry are Maye's two most trusted targets, and the coach gave you 'we'll see' and 'no expectations yet' on both. If Hollins comes off IR and Borregales makes his kicks, the Patriots can survive a week without one of them. Without both, Maye's going to have to win it on his own again. He's done it before. It shouldn't be the plan.