By [JAMES COHEN, SPORTS REPORTER](/profile-153/james-cohen.html)
Published: 17:35 BST, 22 August 2025 | Updated: 17:36 BST, 22 August 2025
A furious Mike Vrabel has vowed to hunt down the 'rats' after news leaked that key man Ja'Lynn Polk will miss the season with a shoulder injury.
The new Patriots head coach didn't hide his anger when asked about reports claiming Polk needs season-ending surgery, just months after being drafted.
Vrabel refused to confirm the report but made it clear he's launching an internal investigation.
'Other than I'd like to find out where some of these \[reports\] come from,' he said on Friday. 'You know, some of these rats around here. So, we'll figure that out.'
The news was reported by NFL insider Jordan Schultz, who claimed that Polk had seen multiple specialists and would undergo surgery.
It's a brutal blow for the young wideout, who had a quiet rookie campaign, catching just 12 passes for 87 yards and two touchdowns despite being one of the highest picks in a rebuilding Patriots offense.
Mike Vrabel has vowed to hunt down the 'rats' after news leaked key injury news
Reports claim that Patriots star Ja'Lynn Polk will miss the season with a shoulder injury
The injury - and the fallout - couldn't come at a worse time for Vrabel, who is only months into his new role and trying to establish control after years of instability in New England.
Vrabel had a solid six-year run with the Titans from 2018 to 2023, leading Tennessee to multiple playoff appearances before back-to-back losing seasons ultimately led to his exit.
Now in New England, he inherits a young team with hopes of returning to contention and that hinges on second-year quarterback Drake Maye making a leap.
The Patriots are aiming to leapfrog the Jets and Dolphins in the AFC East pecking order, with Buffalo still widely seen as the team to beat.