The downgrade in participation raises serious questions surrounding his potential availability when the Patriots face the Dolphins in Week 8. Brown had been mostly limited in practice since being activated from injured reserve due to a separate ankle issue, with the absence Thursday marking the first fully missed practice in that window. Fantasy managers will want to monitor his status Friday as they make plans for their weekend ahead. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Thursday that the veteran receiver’s absence is due to a “flare up” of a previous knee injury, placing his status for Sunday in doubt.