The Patriots, now 4‑3 and AFC champs, host the 1‑5 Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 1, with kickoff at 4:25 p.m. ET. The game airs on CBS (WBZ‑TV 4 locally) and streams via Paramount+, NFL+, YouTube (out‑of‑market), NFL Game Pass (international) and SiriusXM. Patriots are favored at -7 with a 43.5 O/U (FanDuel). Live text updates start around 4 p.m. ET on patspulpit.com, and fans can join real‑time chat through the SB Nation app.
The Patriots enter Week 8 against the Miami Dolphins without WR A.J. Brown (ankle/knee) and RB TreVeyon Henderson (illness), leaving quarterback Drake Maye to rely on a thin receiving corps. Healthy WRs DeMario Douglas, Efton Chism III and Kyle Williams, plus tight ends Hunter Henry and Eli Raridon, become key fantasy options, with Henry likely seeing an expanded role. On the ground, veteran Rhamondre Stevenson should get more carries and pass‑catch opportunities. Miami’s defense ranks last in pass EPA, passer rating (116.8) and completion % allowed (76.6%), potentially boosting New England’s passing game and fantasy upside for Douglas, Henry and Stevenson.
TreVeyon Henderson is ruled out for the Patriots’ Week 8 clash with the Miami Dolphins after missing the final two practices due to illness. The second‑year running back, who has 52 carries for 203 yards and a touchdown this season, won’t travel to Miami, marking his second missed game. With Henderson sidelined, veteran Rhamondre Stevenson is set for a larger workload, having played 68% of snaps in the Week 7 loss to Chicago. Backups Corey Kiner and newly active Lan Larison will see more snaps, while wide receiver A.J. Brown also sits out with ankle and knee issues. Fantasy owners should watch Henderson’s potential return against Green Bay in Week 9.
The Patriots promote second‑year running back Lan Larison from the practice squad to the 53‑man roster ahead of the Week 8 clash with Miami. With TreVeyon Henderson sidelined by illness, Larison adds sustainable depth beyond a standard elevation and frees up his remaining practice‑squad elevations. Although his kickoff return average (24.5 yards) won’t dramatically lift the team’s 25th‑ranked return unit, his experience offers flexibility and protects cores like Corey Kiner and Rhamondre Stevenson from extra wear. The move also bumps Larison’s weekly pay from $13,750 to $49,166, raising his cap hit to $540,833 for the season. As the Nov. 10 trade deadline looms, the article weighs whether Henderson could become a trade candidate, but notes coach Mike Vrabel’s continued confidence in him.
Matt Light says he postponed his 2010 retirement to play one more season with rookie Rob Gronkowski, a decision that sparked a lasting bond on and off the field. Light credits Gronk for easing his NFL transition, while the duo later teamed up for charitable events tied to Gronk’s 2026 Patriots Hall of Fame induction, including the Ultimate Gronk Weekend Sweepstakes benefitting the Light Foundation and Gronk Nation Youth Foundation. The article also notes the Patriots’ 4‑3 start, Gronk’s career stats (521 receptions, 7,861 yards, 79 TDs) and highlights their joint community work.
Former Patriots linebacker Ted Johnson Jr. tells "WEEI Sports" that head coach Mike Vrabel may be pressuring A.J. Brown to play before his hamstring fully heals. Brown missed four games after a Week 1 injury against Seattle and returned in Week 6 versus the Jets, delivering a muted performance that sparked doubts about his health. Johnson questions Vrabel’s injury‑management culture, noting the coach’s history of playing through pain. With the Patriots set to face Miami, the debate over Brown’s short‑term impact versus long‑term safety looms.
NFL Insider Tom Pelissero reports that the Indianapolis Colts are fielding trade interest for running back Jonathan Taylor, but the franchise demands a premium return. The Colts turned down a 2027 second‑round pick plus an extra pick, signaling they hope for at least a first‑rounder—similar to the package the Panthers paid for Christian McCaffrey in 2022. Taylor, 27, is the team's 2nd‑all‑time rusher (8,185 yards, 77 TDs) and just signed a two‑year, $44 million extension. He currently totals 587 yards and eight touchdowns on 140 carries (4.2 YPC) in a 2‑5 season. Supects include the Bengals, Broncos, Packers, Vikings and Patriots, but Indianapolis says any offer must “blow them away.”
The Patriots promote 24‑year‑old running back Lan Larison to the 53‑man roster and elevate former Dolphins receiver Ryan Miller from the practice squad for Sunday’s game at Miami. With TreVeyon Henderson and A.J. Brown downgraded, Larison becomes the third RB behind Rhamondre Stevenson and Corey Kiner after an illness thinned the depth chart. Larison, an undrafted UC Davis free agent who debuted against Seattle, logged two catches for nine yards and a 24.5‑yard kickoff return average in the Super Bowl LX rematch. Miller, a 26‑year‑old ex‑Dolphins wideout who posted a 77‑yard TD this season, joins the Patriots as the fourth healthy receiver. Linebacker Christian Elliss and cornerback Carlton Davis III are questionable, while Marcus Bryant stays on IR. Kickoff is 4:25 p.m. ET in Miami Gardens.
The Washington Commanders promote defensive tackle Byron Cowart from the practice squad for Week 8. The 30‑year‑old, a 2019 fifth‑round pick from Maryland, has bounced around the league—spending time with the Patriots, Colts, Chiefs, Texans, Dolphins, Bears, and Jets—before joining Washington in 2026. He’s appeared in two games this season without recording a statistic. The move adds depth to the defensive line as the team heads into the second half of the season.
Bill Belichick and 25‑year‑old former cheerleader Jordon Hudson quietly ended their romance in late 2025, according to TMZ and PEOPLE. The pair, who first met on a flight in 2021 and went public in June 2024, remain friends and business partners—Hudson’s Trouble Cup Enterprises still handles Belichick’s trademarks and scheduling. Despite a near‑50‑year age gap that sparked media scrutiny, they were spotted together at the 2026 Kentucky Derby and UNC football games. Belichick now leads the UNC Tar Heels, currently 4-3 in the 2026 season.
The Las Vegas Raiders, after a 3‑0 start and a recent four‑game skid, are under pressure over their quarterback hierarchy. Former NFL star Derek Carr appears on The Get Got Pod to back veteran Kirk Cousins, calling him the team’s captain and insisting he stay starter while the franchise remains in the playoff hunt. Rookie No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza, who showed flashes in his debut versus the Patriots, is slated for a gradual development plan, but coach Klint Kubiak says there’s no controversy yet. Cousins now faces a pivotal game to quiet critics as the Raiders balance present success with Mendoza’s future.
The Patriots survived one of the NFL's toughest early schedules with a 4-3 record, and a more manageable road ahead could set up another second-half run.
The New England Patriots enter Week 8 without star wideout AJ Brown and running back TreVeyon Henderson for their road game against the Miami Dolphins. Brown’s knee flare‑up, added to a prior ankle injury, sidelines him, leaving quarterback Drake Maye without his primary deep threat. Henderson is out after a lingering illness. With Romeo Doubs and Mack Hollins already on IR, the Patriots’ receiver depth is thin, promoting DeMario Douglas to Maye’s top target and giving rookies Kyle Williams and Efton Chism III more snaps. Rhamondre Stevenson will lead the rushing attack against Miami’s vulnerable defense.
The New England Patriots enter Week 8 shorthanded as star receiver AJ Brown (knee) and sophomore RB TreVeyon Henderson (illness) are ruled out for the Sunday road game against the Miami Dolphins. With Romeo Doubs and Mack Hollins already on IR, quarterback Drake Maye faces limited weapons, leaving coach Josh McDaniels to devise creative schemes while the defense bears a heavier load. Backup options include Rhamondre Stevenson, veteran tight end Hunter Henry, and rookie Eli Raridon, who have shown flashes of production. The matchup tests New England’s depth against a struggling Dolphins squad.
The New England Patriots will be without star wide receiver AJ Brown for Week 8 against the Miami Dolphins after his ankle and knee injuries flare up, according to ESPN’s Ian Rapoport. Brown, who has managed just nine catches for 101 yards in three games this season, is sidelined alongside running back TreVeyon Henderson and tackle Marcus Bryant. The Patriots, now 4-3, have limited depth at receiver, listing seven backs on the roster and practice squad. With a 3-10 road record against Miami, the injury sweep could further challenge New England’s chances in the upcoming matchup.
The Patriots head to Hard Rock Stadium missing three key players. Wide receiver A.J. Brown (knee issue and lingering high‑ankle sprain) is downgraded to out after skipping back‑to‑back practices, having recorded six catches for 75 yards in 101 snaps this season. Running back TreVeyon Henderson (illness) also sits out, despite 203 rushing yards and a touchdown in 57 touches. Offensive tackle Marcus Bryant remains on injured reserve after a preseason ankle injury. Only linebacker Christian Elliss and cornerback Carlton Davis III are left as questionables. The Dolphins clash kicks off Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET in Miami Gardens.
A.J. Brown's injury continues to cause problems for the New England Patriots as they prepare for their Week 8 matchup against the Miami Dolphins.
The Patriots face a tough November 10 deadline as they sit 4-3 and juggle injuries to A.J. Brown and TreVeyon Henderson. While quarterback Drake Maye keeps New England in the AFC race, three players emerge as trade candidates. Rookie RB TreVeyon Henderson, a 2025 second‑round pick who logged just 203 rushing yards and one TD in six games, could fetch draft capital despite his limited production and recent ankle injury. Safety Jaylen Reed, acquired from Houston in August, has seen only five defensive snaps and may appeal to a rebuilding team needing affordable depth. The article also hints at a third, unnamed prospect, weighing the Patriots' need for immediate help against long‑term value.
New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown will miss Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins after being unable to practice this week with a knee injury.
The Patriots' quarterback is still being widely overlooked for his potential and NFL future.
Bears rookie cornerback Malik Muhammad returns to the field in a limited capacity on Friday, according to the official injury report released at 2:25 p.m. CT. The toe injury he sustained in the third quarter of the Oct. 22 win over the New England Patriots kept him out for the rest of that game, and he missed Thursday’s practice. With cornerback depth improving—Tyrique Stevenson is back—the team will release another report on Saturday before Monday’s 7:15 p.m. CT matchup against the Seattle Seahawks.
The NFL has swapped the officiating crew for Sunday Night Football after referee Alex Moore’s crew drew harsh criticism for questionable calls in the Packers‑Lions game. Tom Brady labeled several penalties “soft,” and a particularly controversial unnecessary‑roughness call sparked outrage. As a result, Moore’s crew will now handle the regionally televised Patriots‑Dolphins matchup, while Shawn Hochini’s crew takes over the primetime Washington‑Philadelphia game. Officials say the move is about optics, not discipline, highlighting growing scrutiny of NFL refereeing this season.
Bill Belichick heads into a crucial Halloween matchup against No. 1 Miami as UNC tries to rebound from a 31-30 overtime loss to Syracuse. Amid the on‑field pressure, TMZ reports that Belichick and longtime partner Jordon Hudson ended their romance late last year but remain business collaborators and friends. The pair, who sparked media attention for their nearly 50‑year age gap, have denied recent rumors linking Hudson to UNC operations, emphasizing her role is limited to personal scheduling. Both have stayed silent on the split.
Former Patriots cornerback Asante Samuel teases that Bill Belichick’s recent, secretive breakup with 25‑year‑old girlfriend Jordon Hudson could finally remove a distraction for the UNC Tar Heels, who are 4‑3 heading into Saturday’s clash with the 7‑0 Miami Hurricanes. Samuel, who played under Belichick from 2003‑07, posted on X that the “best version of Belichick” is emerging now that the split—revealed by TMZ after a year of secrecy—has ended. He highlights Belichick’s historic emphasis on eliminating off‑field distractions, contrasting it with the coach’s disappointing 4‑8 debut season at UNC. The article links the breakup to potential on‑field improvements for the Tar Heels.
The Patriots can't afford to overlook the 1-5 Dolphins in Week 8, especially with these five Miami players capable of turning a potential trap game.