New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel told the media on Friday that both A.J. Brown and Rhamondre Stevenson are “pretty good” in practice as the team prepares for its international matchup against the Detroit Lions in Munich.
Brown is coping with ankle and knee issues, while Stevenson is working to overcome a lingering knee injury sustained in the loss to the Packers last week. Vrabel said the players’ progress will be evaluated further during the day’s practice.
“Based on yesterday I think pretty good,” Vrabel said, adding that the team still needs to see how the players respond today.
Injury updates and roster moves
Stevenson, the Patriots’ leading rusher, missed a second consecutive practice on Friday. He was sidelined Wednesday after the Packers game and has been limited in recent sessions.
Brown, the team’s top offseason acquisition, has recorded nine receptions for 101 yards this season while battling injuries and has been limited in practice all week.
Vrabel emphasized the importance of getting as many players back as possible: “The more that we can get everybody back, the more that it contributes to what we feel like we want to be as a team. One guy certainly doesn’t make the difference, but certainly the more that we can get guys back, it’s exciting, the pieces can start to build and come together.”
Other injury notes include the upgrade of offensive lineman Greg Van Roten (hamstring) and cornerback Charles Woods (hamstring) to full participants, though both remain questionable for Sunday.
Team attitude and preparation
Vrabel stressed that the Patriots are focusing on attitude, competitive spirit, communication and toughness—qualities that require no special talent but can help win games.
He also highlighted the need for defensive playmakers who can force turnovers: “We have to find some guys that can go take the ball away from the other team — tip a pass, hit a guy hard enough to knock the ball loose. … It starts by hopefully affecting the quarterback.”
Addressing concerns about the team’s time abroad, Vrabel said the players will not be micromanaged: “I’m not going to sit there and babysit them and make them sit in a circle and hold hands. They’re grown men.”
Original reporting: KSAT Sports (San Antonio) — read the source article.
