The Patriots had their first joint practice of the preseason last week, and it was the first time they got to see how they stack up against another NFL team at this point. Last week, it was against the Commanders, an excellent team that went to the 2024 NFC Championship Game
Even in this part of camp, the players are tired of hitting and competing with each other. It's always better to start by aiming at someone else. Today allowed the new and improved Patriots to do just that. By all accounts, it got a bit spirited.
That likely led to the few fights that broke out between the teams, with even Mike Vrabel getting into a pile at one point, which excited several of the Patriots' roster, including Drake Maye.
Drake Maye said he almost got involved in the scrum when Vrabel was in the pile pic.twitter.com/FbfRyQyjpu
— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) August 6, 2025
Patriots and Commanders exchanged pleasantries on the Gillette Stadium practice field
USA Today's Ayrton Ostly commented on a sight "altercation" between the Patriots and the Washington Commanders at their August sixth joint practice that left Patriots Head Coach Mike Vrabel bloodied, but unbowed.
"Vrabel was seen bleeding from his face during a joint practice today between the Patriots and Commanders after breaking up a fight between players, per multiple reports. Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson and a blitzing Commanders defender started fighting after a play. Vrabel then jumped in to break things up, but more players ended up joining the fight, including Patriots offensive lineman Will Campbell."
Vrabel has never been one to avoid contact in practice, though it seems this effort was intended to calm down a disagreement rather than mix it up himself. Whatever the circumstances, the Head Coach sustained an injury in the melee. Regardless, he can wear his bloodied jacket or hold his ice bag with his head held high.
Vrabel was bloodied but unbowed in a training camp scrap
Showing dedication above and beyond the call of duty, Patriots coach Mike Vrabel dutifully entered the Commanders'/Patriots' fray as a peacemaker. Regrettably, the 6'4", 250-ish pound former player and now Head Coach exited the fray with a minor injury.
Regardless, the coach can certainly sport his bloodied jacket and the ice bag on the side of his face with his head held high.
#Patriots HC Mike Vrabel is bleeding from his face after jumping in another fight pic.twitter.com/WwMGqnkhTs
— Drake 10 (@HoodiDrake) August 6, 2025
The important takeaway from all this is that Vrabel's team, including his second-year quarterback, Drake Maye, was more than willing to mix it up on behalf of their coach. Thankfully, though, Maye decided not to, showing maturity well beyond his tender years (still just 22!).
The 2025 Patriots are playing to win. It's nice to see rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson exerting himself and defending himself. A lot is expected of the explosive former Ohio State Buckeye second-round pick, and clearly, he's gearing up to meet all of those expectations.
While fighting isn't exactly the type of explosiveness Vrabel is looking for, feistiness is. If Henderson tears through holes in a defense with equal ferocity, his season portends well. It's all to the good. That's the injury report from Foxborough after the first joint practice with Washington. Mike Vrabel suffered an injury setback, but he's not expected to miss any time. That's a good thing.