11/13/2026 12:45:00
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11/13 12:43 CST Vrabel says injured Patriots stars Brown and Stevenson doing
'pretty good' ahead of Munich game
Vrabel says injured Patriots stars Brown and Stevenson doing 'pretty good'
ahead of Munich game
By KEN MAGUIRE
AP Sports Writer
MUNICH (AP) --- New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown and running back
Rhamondre Stevenson have looked "pretty good" in practice, coach Mike Vrabel
said Friday before both players were listed as questionable for the game
against the Detroit Lions in Munich.
Brown is dealing with ankle and knee issues, and Stevenson is trying to
overcome a knee injury in time for Sunday's game.
Vrabel, speaking to the media at Bayern Munich's facilities before practice,
was asked to gauge Brown and Stevenson's progress.
"Based on yesterday I think pretty good," the coach said. "Again, still have to
go through today and see where that goes."
Stevenson, the team's leading rusher, was limited Friday for a second straight
practice. The team had a jog-through Thursday after arriving in Bavaria. He was
injured in last week's loss to the Packers and sat out practice Wednesday
before their overnight flight.
"We're just always looking for guys that are looking for ways in as opposed to
ways out," Vrabel said. "At this point of the season, 10 weeks straight without
a bye, there's pretty much nobody out there that's 100%. We have to realize
that, we have to recognize that, but we also have to find ways to do our job.
"Rhamondre is one of those players that's looking for a way in," he added.
Brown, the team's top offseason acquisition, has just nine receptions for 101
yards so far this season as he has fought through injuries. He has been limited
in practice all week.
"The more that we can get everybody back, I think the more that it contributes
to what we feel like we want to be as a team," Vrabel said. "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.
"We'll see where things go today," he continued, "and hopefully those guys that
haven't been with us or maybe got hurt last week could be available."
Before traveling Wednesday night, the Patriots ruled out LG Ben Brown (knee),
CB Carlton Davis III (knee) and RB TreVeyon Henderson (illness).
Henderson said last week that he spent several days in the hospital undergoing
tests to determine the cause of unexplained neurological symptoms that have
affected his strength and coordination.
"I talk to TreVeyon everyday," Vrabel said. "Just like everybody else that's
not available, he's working hard to get back. When that is, I don't know. I
don't have a timetable."
In other injury updates, OL Greg Van Roten (hamstring) was upgraded to full
participant Friday, as was CB Charles Woods (hamstring). Both are questionable
for Sunday.
No babysitting
Vrabel reiterated that he wants his players to have the right attitude.
"We talk about a lot of things that require no talent or skill. We talk about
competitive spirit, we talk about communication, we talk about toughness, we
talk about our attitude," he said. "There are a lot of things that you can do
that require no skill that hopefully can help us win. Those are some qualities
that we're trying to build."
Creating turnovers is key, he added: "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. ... There's a lot of ways to do it. It starts by
hopefully affecting the quarterback."
Players won't be under lock and key in Munich.
"I'm not going to sit there and babysit them and make them sit in a circle and
hold hands," Vrabel said. "They're grown men."
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