Patriots' Christian Gonzalez: In concussion protocol
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Gonzalez is in the NFL's concussion protocol, head coach Mike Vrabel relayed Monday, Mark Daniels of MassLive reports.
Gonzalez exited in the second half of Sunday's 16-3 wild-card game win over the Chargers to be evaluated for a head injury. That evaluation evidently revealed a concussion, which means Gonzalez will need to return to full practice participation and be cleared by an independent neurologist to participate in the AFC divisional round game against the Texans or Steelers on Sunday, Jan. 18. Charles Woods would likely draw the start at outside cornerback if Gonzalez doesn't exit the concussion protocol in time.
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Patriots' Christian Gonzalez: Doesn't return to playoff win
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Gonzalez (head) was downgraded to out during Sunday's 16-3 win over the Chargers in the wild-card round.
Gonzalez was evaluated for a head injury in the second half and ruled out after initially being deemed questionable to return. The team hasn't indicated that he suffered a concussion, but if that turns out to be the case, Gonzalez would need to pass the five-step concussion protocol in order to play in the AFC divisional round against either the Texans or Steelers on Sunday, Jan. 18.
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Patriots' Carlton Davis: Back in action
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Davis (toe) has returned to Sunday night's contest versus Los Angeles, Mark Daniels of MassLive.com reports.
Davis was briefly sidelined with a toe injury that he suffered in the first half, but he has since returned to the field. The cornerback is starting opposite of Christian Gonzalez, looking to quiet the Chargers' passing attack.
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Patriots' Carlton Davis: Dealing with toe injury
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Davis (toe) is questionable to return to Sunday night's contest against the Chargers, Chad Graff of The Athletic reports.
Davis suffered a toe injury in the first half, and his status for the rest of the contest is now up in the air. In his absence, Charles Woods is a top candidate to see an uptick in usage at cornerback versus Los Angeles.
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Patriots' Harold Landry: Ready to go for wild-card round
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Landry (knee) is active for Sunday night's wild-card matchup with the Chargers.
Landry will make his return to action after missing the team's last two regular-season contests while nursing a knee injury. The 29-year-old registered 11 total tackles (eight solo), including 3.0 sacks, in his final four appearances of the regular season, and he'll look to keep it up versus Los Angeles.
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Patriots' Alex Austin: Won't face Chargers
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Austin (wrist) was not activated from injured reserve Saturday and has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's wild-card game against the Chargers.
Austin turned in three limited practices for the second consecutive week, but it won't be enough for him to return. He hasn't played since Week 12, though he could be back for the divisional round should the Patriots defeat the Chargers on Sunday night.
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Patriots' Christian Gonzalez: Another productive season
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Gonzalez tallied 69 total tackles (54 solo) and 10 passes defensed over 14 regular-season games in 2025.
Gonzalez didn't record an interception for the first time in his pro career, but he still managed to reach double-digit passes defensed while missing three regular-season games. The third-year pro from Oregon has established himself as one of the NFL's top cornerbacks, recording 21 passes defensed, including two interceptions, over the last two years. Additionally, he posted a career-high 69 total tackles in 2025, tying for the sixth-most on the Patriots. Under contract through the 2026 season, Gonzalez is expected to start opposite Carlton Davis as part of New England's top outside cornerback duo following the 2025 playoff campaign.
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Patriots' Craig Woodson: Notches 79 stops in rookie campaign
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Woodson tallied 79 total tackles (42 solo) and three passes defensed over 17 regular-season games in 2025.
Woodson, a 2025 fourth-round pick from California, quickly became an integral part of the Patriots' secondary, starting 15 of the 17 regular-season games in which he appeared. He impressed throughout his rookie season, tying for the team lead in fumble recoveries while ranking fourth in total tackles. With Jaylinn Hawkins set to become an unrestricted free agent following the Patriots' 2025 playoff run, Woodson could start alongside a new running mate in 2026.
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Patriots' Jaylinn Hawkins: Impresses in starting role
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Hawkins tallied 71 total tackles (45 solo), including 1.5 sacks, six passes defensed, including four interceptions, and one forced fumble across 15 regular-season games in 2025.
The 28-year-old started all 15 games in which he appeared and logged 836 defensive snaps this season, the second-highest total of his career. In his second year with the Patriots, Hawkins proved to be an integral part of the secondary, leading the team in interceptions and ranking fourth in passes defensed. Set to become an unrestricted free agent following New England's 2025 playoff run, Hawkins will likely draw interest from teams in need of a starting safety ahead of the 2026 season.
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Patriots' Marcus Jones: Two return TDs, three INTs in 2025
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Jones had 21 punt returns for 363 yards and two touchdowns while registering 65 tackles (47 solo), including 2.0 sacks, and three interceptions among his 11 passes defensed across 17 regular-season games in 2025.
Jones rounded out his versatile stat line with two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. He's a key contributor on defense and special teams for New England, excelling as a slot cornerback and punt returner. Jones signed a three-year extension with the Patriots in October, so he's locked in with the team well beyond its current playoff run, which begins Sunday with a home game against the Chargers in the wild-card round.
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Patriots' Harold Landry: Questionable to face Chargers
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Landry (knee) is questionable for Sunday's wild-card game against the Chargers, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.
Landry's availability for Sunday night's game is up in the air after the veteran linebacker sat out the last two games of the regular season. Elijah Ponder, Anfernee Jennings and Bradyn Swinson would be candidates for larger roles if Landry remains sidelined.
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Patriots' Robert Spillane: Ready to face Chargers
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Spillane (ankle) practiced in full Wednesday.
Spillane finally appears back to full health and ready to return to New England's starting lineup for the first time since Week 13. Barring any setbacks, expect Spillane to return to his usual starting role at inside linebacker during Sunday's wild-card matchup against the Chargers.
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Patriots' Jack Gibbens: Upgrades to full practice
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Gibbens (elbow) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.
Gibbens was listed as limited Wednesday due to an ankle issue, but it appears he's back to full health and ready for Sunday's wild-card matchup against the Chargers. He stands to handle his usual key rotational role behind starting linebacker Christian Elliss.
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Patriots' Harold Landry: Logs limited practice Wednesday
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Landry (knee) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday.
Landry missed New England's last two regular-season games due to a nagging knee injury, but his activity at practice Wednesday suggests there's a chance he'll return for the wild-card round versus the Chargers. Still, he'll probably have to practice in full Thursday or Friday to avoid carrying an injury designation into the weekend.
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Patriots' Robert Spillane: Limited Wednesday
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Spillane (ankle) was limited in Wednesday's practice.
Spillane hasn't played since Week 13 but told Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald he's ready to play in Sunday's wild-card game against the Chargers. Through 13 regular-season appearances, Spillane has recorded 97 tackles (48 solo), including 1.0 sacks, and five pass breakups, including two interceptions.
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Patriots' Jack Gibbens: Limited in practice Wednesday
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Gibbens (elbow) was a limited participant in practice Wednesday.
The 27-year-old did not appear limited in the Patriots' Week 18 game against Miami, totalling his usual snap share (47) behind starter Christian Elliss. Gibbens' status for Sunday's wild-card matchup will likely depend on his participation in practice Thursday and Friday.
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Patriots' Milton Williams: Seems ready to return Week 18
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Williams (ankle) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's matchup against Miami.
Williams remains on IR -- where he's been since mid-November -- but he was able to log a full practice Friday. Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel said the likelihood of Williams being activated in time to play Week 18 "looks good" when asked Friday, per Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network. Williams' return would be a nice boost for New England's defensive line ahead of the playoffs, as he posted 27 tackles, including 3.5 sacks, and a defensed pass over 11 contests prior to getting hurt.
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Patriots' Robert Spillane: Won't play Sunday
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Spillane (ankle) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Dolphins, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.
Spillane sustained an ankle injury in the Week 14 win over the Giants and is now in line to miss his fourth consecutive contest. The veteran linebacker is a crucial part of the Patriots' defense, tallying 97 total tackles, including 1.0 sacks, five passes defensed, with two interceptions, and one forced fumble over 13 appearances this season. While he's sidelined Sunday, expect Jack Gibbens to have an expanded role in New England's linebacker corps.
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Patriots' Khyiris Tonga: Out for Sunday
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Tonga (foot) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Dolphins, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.
The 29-year-old is now in line to miss his second game in a row due to a foot injury sustained in the Week 16 win over the Ravens. Across 14 appearances this season, Tonga has tallied 24 total tackles and two passes defensed while serving as one of the Patriots' top nose tackles. Expect Eric Gregory to have an expanded role on New England's defensive line while Tonga is out Sunday.
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Patriots' Khyiris Tonga: Still sidelined by foot injury
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Tonga (foot) did not practice Wednesday.
Tonga was unable to play against the Jets in Week 17 due to a foot injury he picked up during the Patriots' Week 16 win over the Ravens. The fifth-year nose tackle would have to practice in at least a limited capacity over the next two days to have a realistic chance to play against the Dolphins on Sunday. Undrafted rookie Eric Gregory would continue to work in an expanded role on the Patriots' defensive line if Tonga were to be ruled out.
