New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel spoke Wednesday ahead of Sunday’s playoff game against the Los Angeles Chargers, saying several players are currently dealing with illness.
While praising offensive lineman Morgan Moses for everything he’s brought to the team this year, Vrabel mentioned that Moses is one of several players dealing with illness, along with center Garret Bradbury, offensive lineman Verderian Lowe and linebacker Anfernee Jennings. Vrabel did not say whether the illness could impact the availability of those players on Sunday.
Sunday’s matchup between the No. 2-seeded Patriots and the No. 7 Chargers will kick off at 8 p.m. on NBC10 Boston and Peacock.
The Patriots have undergone a remarkable turnaround in 2025 behind first-year head coach Vrabel and star quarterback Drake Maye, an MVP contender in just his second NFL season. After going 4-13 in 2024, New England finished 2025 at 14-3, winning 13 of its last 14 games to earn the AFC East title.
Herbert and the Chargers, meanwhile, went 11-6 for the second straight season under head coach Jim Harbaugh. They were still in the mix for the AFC West crown entering Week 17, but they fell to the Houston Texans at home and rested Herbert for their Week 18 road game against the Denver Broncos.
Both quarterbacks will be looking for their first playoff win on Sunday.
When Vrabel last addressed the media on Monday, made the case for why he thinks Maye should be the NFL MVP and praised the Chargers.
He did a bit of both again Wednesday, saying the Chargers are “a big, physical football team” that doesn’t beat themselves and are statistically excellent in every category. And he called Herbert “one of the best quarterbacks in the league.”
He also said Maye has shown “a lot of growth” this season, learning from his mistakes. “That’s been really good to see.”
Vrabel also heaped praise on Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson, who was just named AFC Offensive Player of the Week.
“I’m always excited for our players, and I sound like a broken record, but I think he continued to do things we needed him to do to help us win. He was rewarded for it with touchdowns, rushing yards… but he also protected the quarterback.”
Sunday’s win over the Miami Dolphins to close out the regular season came after a tumultuous week for the Patriots during which news broke that wide receiver Stefon Diggs and defensive lineman Christian Barmore were facing criminal charges stemming from separate domestic incidents last year.
At least for now, it doesn’t appear that either player will face disciplinary action from the NFL, although the league said it is investigating.
Malcolm Johnson and Marc Fortier
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