Mike Vrabel reacts to criminal charges against Patriots players

FOXBOROUGH — A profitable turnaround season for the Patriots was marred by a pair of key gamers on New England’s roster dealing with felony fees this week. 

Information broke on Tuesday morning that star receiver Stefon Diggs is facing several charges, together with felony strangulation, for an alleged altercation together with his private chef. 

On Wednesday morning, information got here to gentle that defensive deal with Christian Barmore has been charged with domestic assault and battery.

Forward of Sunday’s regular-season finale in opposition to the Dolphins, Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel confronted the media Wednesday afternoon, stressing that the crew was conscious of each incidents and is letting the authorized course of play out earlier than taking any further plan of action. 

“These aren’t a shock, that as we speak and yesterday this got here out,” Vrabel stated, including: “We’ve taken the allegations very critically. What comes of that, then we’ll have one other dialogue. However I don’t assume we have now to leap to any type of conclusions proper now. Let the method take its toll.”

Vrabel was requested how disappointing it’s to cope with off-the-field distractions — particularly involving felony fees — at this juncture of the NFL calendar. 

“I might say not disappointing in any respect. I feel that — these are allegations, such as you talked about in your query,” Vrabel stated. “It’s issues that we have now to deal with and every single day that there’s distractions. Some are smaller than others. I’m assured that we’ll deal with the Dolphins and people two people that you just talked about will be capable of deal with the continuing authorized course of.”

Diggs is dealing with fees of felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault and battery from an incident that occurred on Dec. 2 in Dedham. According to public court filings, Diggs allegedly choked and hit a lady who had been working as his chef in a dispute over cash. 

Diggs instructed the Patriots that he “categorically denies the allegations,” in line with a crew assertion launched Tuesday.

Barmore’s misdemeanor cost revolves round an alleged incident on Aug. 8 at Barmore’s house in Mansfield.

According to charging documents, the alleged sufferer — who Barmore had purportedly been relationship on and off for a number of years — was gathering her belongings to depart the house after Barmore grew to become offended that the thermostat was set to 70 levels and that she had eaten a few of his meals.

She stated within the report that she was talking to her mom on the telephone when Barmore allegedly took the gadget out of her hand and disconnected the decision. The alleged sufferer “supposed to open the door and scream for assist however Christian grabbed her earlier than she may and threw her to the ground.” 

Diggs is scheduled to be arraigned on Jan. 23. Barmore’s arraignment date is at present set for Feb. 3. 

Vrabel stated on Wednesday that he doesn’t consider that each Diggs and Barmore received’t be cleared to play in Sunday’s sport in opposition to Miami. 

“I haven’t heard something that may maintain both participant from the sport,” Vrabel stated.

The NFL may put each Diggs and Barmore on the Commissioner’s Exempt record whereas this authorized course of performs out, as was the case final 12 months with former Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers. Vrabel stated Wednesday that he has not heard something from the NFL so far as league-imposed self-discipline in opposition to Diggs and Barmore. 

NFL Community’s Tom Pelissero reached out to NFL league spokesman Brian McCarthy in regards to the standing of each Diggs and Barmore on Wednesday afternoon.

“There is no such thing as a change to the standing of Diggs or Barmore. Each are eligible to play at the moment,” McCarthy instructed Pelissero. “Pursuant to the Private Conduct Coverage, consideration for placement on the Commissioner Exempt Listing could also be thought-about following formal fees within the type of an indictment by a grand jury, the submitting of fees by a prosecutor, or an arraignment in a felony court docket.”

So far as his message to the remainder of his crew amid an eventful week, Vrabel careworn the necessity for the Patriots to stay centered on Sunday’s matchup in opposition to the Dolphins. 

“I talked to the crew about ensuring that we communicate to ourselves,” Vrabel stated. “If Stef and Christian have one thing to say, I help that, however we’re additionally going to talk for ourselves and ensure they’re centered on what they must do and the enhancements they must make. The main focus this week is enhance by apply and attempt to end what we began.”

 

Conor Ryan is a employees author overlaying the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Crimson Sox for Boston.com, a task he has held since 2023.