Mike Vrabel Says There's 'Rats' Within Patriots After Rumors of Ja'Lynn Polk's Injury

New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel is not happy with a report stating second-year wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk is set to undergo season-ending surgery.

Speaking to reporters after Thursday's preseason loss to the New York Giants, Vrabel called out the "rats" within the organization who are leaking information publicly.

Vrabel's comment was in response to a report earlier in the day from NFL insider Jordan Schultz that stated Polk would need surgery to repair a shoulder injury that will keep him out for the entire 2025 campaign.

Former Tennessee Titans offensive lineman Taylor Lewan, who played for Vrabel five seasons from 2018 to '22, has said the coach certain rules in place for what information gets made public.

"Vrabel has very specific rules about you don't talk about scheme; you don't talk about injuries. In the back of your head when you are talking ball, you don't want to step on toes," Lewan explained during a 2023 appearance on The Pivot podcast with Ryan Clark.

During his first preseason as Titans head coach in 2018, Vrabel told reporters he wouldn't discuss any injuries until he was required to put out an official injury report at the start of the regular season.

Polk had shoulder surgery in the offseason and was unable to take part in full team drills during OTAs and mandatory minicamp. He did play in the preseason opener against the Washington Commanders on Aug. 8, but left in the second quarter with an apparent right arm/shoulder injury after being tackled on a jet sweep.

There had been speculation that Polk was going to be a cut or trade candidate with all 32 teams needing to set their 53-man roster by 4 p.m. ET on Aug. 26.

A second-round pick by the Patriots in 2024, Polk had a disappointing rookie season with just 87 yards and two touchdowns on 12 receptions in 15 games. He had a total of seven targets in his final eight games.

Vrabel, who played for the Patriots from 2001 to '08, was hired as New England's head coach on Jan. 12. He is being tasked with turning the franchise around coming off three consecutive losing seasons, including a 4-13 record in 2024 under Jerod Mayo.