The stage is set for an epic battle between AFC heavyweights during Wild Card Weekend, with the upstart New England Patriots set to host Justin Herbert‘s Los Angeles Chargers at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough on Sunday.

The Patriots will head into this matchup against John Harbaugh’s squad, with head coach Mike Vrabel potentially winning another NFL Coach of the Year award and up-and-coming quarterback Drake Maye potentially being named NFL MVP in February. New England has won three straight coming into the NFL playoffs and will be a tough out, as they are firing on all cylinders with Maye under center.

However, the team got an unsettling update about a few of its players on Wednesday, with only a few days left before kickoff against the visiting Chargers.

Patriots Get Brutal Update Ahead of Playoff Clash With Chargers

GettyHead coach Mike Vrabel of the New England Patriots

On Wednesday, Vrabel spoke to the media. When asked about offensive tackle Morgan Moses admitted that the 34-year-old is among the players on the Patriots who are dealing with an illness.

“Great veteran presence,” Vrabel said of Moses. “He’s played well; it hasn’t just been a presence. He’s protected the quarterback, and he’s been out there. We’ve got some guys sick today, and Morgan will be in that group of guys that are sick. So, he won’t be getting the physical reps, but just everything that we’ve wanted him to be and needed him to be as far as changing over some personnel and adding him. So, it’s been fun to watch that group gel.”

Later in the press conference, Vrabel was asked what other players on the team are also sick, along with Moses.

“[Garrett] Bradbury, Anfernee Jennings, Vederian Lowe,” Vrabel said.

Alex Barth of 98.5 The Sports Hub made an interesting observation during Wednesday’s practice, as he noticed that tight end Hunter Henry and nose tackle Khyiris Tonga weren’t on the field.

As Mike Vrabel let us know earlier, Morgan Moses, Vederian Lowe, Garrett Bradbury, and Anfernee Jennings are not at Patriots practice dealing with an illness.

Hunter Henry and Khyiris Tonga also weren’t spotted. Jared Wilson is back in a red non-contact jersey. pic.twitter.com/wU8IMrpmQz

— Alex Barth (@RealAlexBarth) January 7, 2026

Obviously, this is not good news for the Patriots moving forward. However, the team does have a few more days to get back to form from a health perspective, but this is a concern for the 14-win New England squad.

Mike Vrabel on Challenge of Facing Justin Herbert

GettyJustin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers

Ahead of the playoff showdown with the Chargers, Vrabel spoke highly of Herbert, who he knows will be difficult to contain on Sunday.

“A lot. He’s got toughness, great arm talent, great athletic ability,” Vrabel said of Herbert. “He’s under duress and it doesn’t really affect him. You don’t see him get frustrated. A lot of respect for him as a person, and obviously as a player. He’s lived up to everything that they thought he’d be as a franchise quarterback, and he’s really just one of the best quarterbacks in the league.”

Vrabel also talked about Maye and the expectations he has for the MVP candidate heading into his first playoff game in the NFL.

“I would hope that he would lead as our quarterback every single week,” Vrabel said of Maye. “This is the next week. It’s an important week. I think just the command that he has in the huddle. In practice, you see communication with guys off on the side, when maybe the defense is working. I see things during the game where he’s trying to get guys on the same page and communicate to them and that relationship there. So, I think he’s continuing to work at it. Again, everybody’s trying to become a little better leader.”