Pats Pulpit
New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez is in concussion protocol, head coach Mike Vrabel said Monday morning.
“How long that lasts I don’t know, but when you don’t return to the game — when they don’t let you go back in the game that would put you in the protocol,” Vrabel said. “So wherever that goes, that goes.”
Gonzalez appeared to sustain the injury after recording a pass breakup in the fourth quarter of the Patriots’ wild card win. He eventually took a visit to the blue medical tent before departing to the locker room where he was then ruled out with a head injury.
The 23-year old will now have a week to clear protocol as the Patriots get set to host the winner of the Texans vs. Steelers wild card game in the divisional round next Sunday.
Prior to suffering the injury, New England’s top corner was playing one of his best games of the season in his playoff debut. Gonzalez did not allow a reception across five targets while recording a pair of pass breakups in the process.
“Gonzo continues to play at a high level. Those are expectation that he has for himself and we have for him,” Vrabel said. “We appreciate what he’s done and his willingness to line up in different places. He’s handled that all really well and hopefully we’ll get him back.”
In Gonzalez’s absence, cornerback Charles Woods was thrusted into a larger role playing 23 defensive snaps as fellow cornerback Carlton Davis also missed a handful of plays with a toe injury. In relief, Woods allowed just one catch for eight yards.
The Patriots’ first practice and injury report of the week is set for Wednesday, where Gonzalez’s availability will be atop the storylines.
