Patriots back coach Vrabel’s ‘leadership’ as new photos with NFL reporter Russini emerge

• Coach to attend counseling in wake of recent events

• NFL previously said it will not investigate matter

The New England Patriots have given their backing to Mike Vrabel as new photos of their head coach and NFL reporter Dianna Russini emerged on Thursday.

Russini resigned from her post at the Athletic last week after the New York Post published photos of her and Vrabel embracing and holding hands at an Arizona resort. The pair are married to different people and have said their relationship is platonic. On Wednesday, Vrabel said he will miss day three of the NFL draft on Saturday to undergo counseling in the fallout from the controversy.