New England Patriots - NESN.com
The New England Patriots are running out of time to know whether Christian Gonzalez will be ready for Week 1.
The standout cornerback has missed more than a month with a left hamstring injury and still has yet to return to practice.
He was again absent from the field Thursday, a session that wrapped up the Patriots’ work before a three-day break. Gonzalez has mostly been seen in street clothes during workouts, according to the Boston Herald’s Andrew Callahan.
New England faces a narrow window to work him back. The club has just five practices left before opening against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Mike Vrabel acknowledged how hard it is to gauge recovery without on-field reps, stressing that conditioning on a bike or stair climber cannot replace live football activity, as noted by Chad Graff of The Athletic. Gonzalez’s prolonged absence adds to the uncertainty.
A report from Jeff Howe at The Athletic described the hamstring as a “tricky” issue with no firm timetable. That ambiguity suggests caution could linger into September, leaving the possibility of Gonzalez beginning the season at less than full strength.
The Patriots do have options in his absence.
Veteran Carlton Davis III was added in free agency, and Alex Austin projects as the next man up on the outside. D.J. James, who had an impressive summer, may also see an expanded role if Gonzalez is sidelined longer.
For now, New England is left waiting on its most talented defender.
The season opener is 10 days away, and his status remains one of the team’s biggest questions.
