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FOXBORO, Mass. (WBZ News Radio) – New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel spoke to reporters Wednesday at his weekly press conference, but there weren’t many questions about football. Two starting players have been charged with crimes that have been made public this week.
On Tuesday, a court hearing was held for Stefon Diggs, who was charged earlier this week with felony Strangulation and misdemeanor Assault and Battery. The charges come after his personal chef said that Diggs choked and assaulted her over payment she claimed he owed her.
On Wednesday morning it broke that Defensive Tackle Christian Barmore was charged with Assault and Battery after an altercation with the mother of his child. She told police in Mansfield that she was thrown to the ground and assaulted in front of their 2-year-old daughter. The victim said the incident happened in August, but she was afraid of what Barmore might do because she was pregnant when she reported it to police.
Head Coach Mike Vrabel fielded questions about these charges at his regularly scheduled availability.
“These again are allegations. We have made a statement. We have taken the allegations very seriously. What comes of that, I think we will have another discussion. But I don’t think that we have to jump to any sort of conclusions right now.”
Vrabel said that Barmore is sick and would not practice Wednesday, but should he be healthy. He is cleared to play on Sunday.
“Anybody that is healthy, we are going to do everything we can to win a football game,” said Vrabel. “I haven’t heard anything that would keep either player from the game.”
The Patriots released a statement on Tuesday where they stated that they stand by Diggs, there was no such mention of standing by Barmore in the statement they released about him Wednesday.
“The Patriots were made aware at the time of the incident and informed the NFL in a timely manner. The matter remains part of an ongoing legal process. We will respect that process, continue to monitor the situation closely, as we have over the past few months, and cooperate fully with the league.”
Though Vrabel would not comment on why the discrepancy, he said that he would support what either athlete wants to do publicly.
“If Stef and Christian have something to say, I support that.”
The Patriots are scheduled to play the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.