New England Patriots - NESN.com
The New England Patriots still don’t know if Christian Gonzalez will return to their secondary this weekend.
Gonzalez has missed New England’s first three games of the regular season after suffering a hamstring injury during training camp. Mike Vrabel has struck a more optimistic tone regarding his star cornerback’s recovery this week, and the head coach offered another encouraging update on Friday.
Vrabel told reporters that Gonzalez has taken “most of the reps” in practice, but his status for Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers remains uncertain.
“I think he’s continued to get into better condition,” Vrabel said. “We’ll see how he responds from his speed work today, and then we’ll make a decision that’s best for him and best for the football team.”
New England would eagerly welcome back Gonzalez after allowing the NFL’s third-most passing yards per game (256.3) through three weeks. The Patriots have also permitted the third-highest opposing completion percentage (74.2) and yards per pass attempt (8.8).
However, they fared better when holding Aaron Rodgers to 139 passing yards in last Sunday’s 21-14 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Vrabel may feel less urgency to rush back Gonzalez to face the Panthers, but they’ll play the Buffalo Bills the following weekend on “Sunday Night Football.”
Gonzalez anchored New England’s defense as a second-team All-Pro in 2024, tallying two interceptions and 11 pass breakups. The former first-round pick held opponents to 6.0 yards per attempt as the primary defender.
Sunday’s Week 4 matchup between the Patriots and Panthers kicks off at 1 p.m. ET on Fox.
