Patriots' Mike Vrabel Calls Out 'Fabricated' Rumors over A.J. Brown's Degenerative Knee Condition

Despite a recent revelation from New England Patriots executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf about star receiver A.J. Brown's "degenerative knee condition," head coach Mike Vrabel dismissed the notion that the team is concerned about the 29-year-old's health.

"I think a lot of things get fabricated, and people tell stories. … We're very confident in where he's at physically," Vrabel told reporters on Monday.

Wolf told Yahoo Sports' Jori Epstein last month that Brown's knee issues didn't make the Patriots hesitate to acquire him in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles, as he only missed one regular-season game with a knee injury during his four-year run with his old franchise.

"It's a factor, but we examined him," Wolf told Epstein. "He's got a knee that has some wear and tear that we were aware of. Our training staff and medical staff signed off on it."

Brown also downplayed the issue, telling reporters last month, "No injury. There's nothing to worry about."

Still, the Patriots are banking on Brown's presence to put them over the top as Super Bowl contenders. Any ailment for the three-time Pro Bowler could derail New England's hopes of competing for a championship.

Vrabel added that he and the Patriots' training staff are satisfied with what they've seen from Brown since his arrival.

"He's done every single thing," Vrabel said. "Will he do every single thing? Nope. He'll have time where me or Frank or Jim, us as a group, decide that, just like Morgan yesterday, just like Reggie yesterday, there'll be things. But I think he's gotten off to a really good start, both mentally and physically, and acclimating himself to his team."