Patriots' Christian Gonzalez: No designation for Sunday
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Gonzalez (concussion) doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's divisional-round game against the Texans.
Coach Mike Vrabel called Gonzalez questionable to face Houston earlier in the day Friday, but that appeared to be a mishap on Vrabel's part, as Gonzalez cleared protocol and is ready to go for a date with Jayden Higgins after Nico Collins (concussion) was ruled out for Sunday.
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Patriots' Christian Gonzalez: Logs full practice Thursday
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Gonzalez (concussion) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.
Gonzalez's upgrade in practice participation indicates that he is progressing through the league's concussion protocol, which he entered following the Patriots' AFC wild-card round win over the Chargers this past Sunday. New England will host Houston on Sunday in the divisional round, and Gonzalez would need to be cleared by an independent neurologist in order to play in that contest.
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Patriots' Christian Gonzalez: Looks to practice Wednesday
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Gonzalez (concussion) is expected to practice Wednesday, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.
The Patriots' starting cornerback suffered a concussion in the second half of last Sunday's playoff win over the Chargers. Gonzalez's ability to practice Wednesday means he is likely ready to continue progressing the NFL's five-step concussion protocol in the hopes of being set to suit up for Sunday's divisional round matchup with the Texans.
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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' Christian Gonzalez: Season-high nine stops vs. Bucs
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Gonzalez logged nine tackles (five solo) and one pass defense during the Patriots' 28-23 win over the Buccaneers on Sunday.
Gonzalez was one of four Patriots defenders to play all 69 defensive snaps Sunday, and he finished tied with Robert Spillane for the second-most tackles on the team behind Jack Gibbens (hamstring), who finished with 10 stops. Gonzalez has recorded at least one pass defense in three straight games and is up to 38 tackles (28 solo) and six pass defenses through seven regular-season games.
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Patriots' Christian Gonzalez: Manages full practice Wednesday
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Gonzalez (concussion) was a full participant at practice Wednesday.
Gonzalez was evaluated for a concussion during Sunday's game versus the Falcons, but he handled his regular diet of practice reps to begin the Patriots' new week of preparation. He'll still need to officially clear league concussion protocol by Sunday to suit up in Week 10 at Tampa Bay.
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Patriots' Christian Gonzalez: Questionable to return Sunday
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Gonzalez (head) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Falcons, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.
The cornerback had seven tackles (six solo) and two pass breakups at the time of his exit. Alex Austin and Charles Woods are the available backup corners for New England.
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Patriots' Christian Gonzalez: Questionable for Sunday
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Gonzalez (hamstring) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Saints, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.
The third-year corner from Oregon popped up on the Patriots' injury report Thursday as a limited practice participant due to a hamstring issue. Head coach Mike Vrabel told reporters Friday that New England will continue to monitor Gonzalez and likely make a decision on his availability 90 minutes prior to kickoff, making him a true game-time decision, per Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald. Gonzalez has been one of the best cornerbacks in football since entering the league, and he's recorded nine total tackles and one pass defended across just two contests this season. If he's forced to miss the Week 6 matchup, Alex Austin is expected to start opposite Carlton Davis in the Patriots' secondary.
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Patriots' Christian Gonzalez: Pops up as limited participant
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Gonzalez (hamstring) was limited in Thursday's practice.
Gonzalez wasn't listed with any injury designation on Wednesday's report, so he appears to have sustained his current hamstring issue during practice. That said, it was a hamstring injury that forced him to miss New England's first three games of the regular season, so it's possible that he's either suffered a setback or is having his reps capped. Gonzalez said after practice Wednesday that Sunday's contest against the Saints "will be a good test," Mark Daniels of MassLive reports.
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Patriots' Christian Gonzalez: Listed as questionable
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Gonzalez (hamstring) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Steelers, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.
Gonzalez returned to practice this week for the first time since injuring his hamstring in late July, but it's unclear if he's had enough time to build up to game shape. If Gonzalez isn't able to play against Pittsburgh, a Week 4 return against the Panthers seems likely.
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Patriots' Christian Gonzalez: Returns to practice
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Gonzalez (hamstring) will practice Wednesday, Mark Daniels of MassLive.com reports.
Gonzalez hasn't practiced since sustaining a hamstring injury in late July, but it now appears he could be nearing a return to in-game action. The Oregon product was one of the NFL's top outside corners in 2024, recording 59 total tackles and 11 passes defended, including two interceptions, over 16 regular-season contests. His practice participation Thursday and Friday will likely be the best indicator of whether he can suit up for New England's Week 3 matchup against the Steelers.
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Patriots' Christian Gonzalez: Out again for Week 2
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Gonzalez (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Dolphins, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.
Gonzalez was injured in the early days of training camp and has now been sidelined for more than six weeks to this point. His absence is a boost for Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle this Sunday.
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Patriots' Christian Gonzalez: Remains sidelined Thursday
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Gonzalez (hamstring) remained sidelined at practice Thursday, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.
Gonzalez could be trending toward a Week 1 absence against the Raiders unless he practices in some capacity Friday. If New England's top cornerback is unavailable Sunday, Alex Austin, Marcus Jones and DJ James would be the top candidates to draw the start on the outside opposite Carlton Davis.
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Patriots' Christian Gonzalez: Misses another practice
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Gonzalez (hamstring) did not participate in Thursday's practice, Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald reports.
Gonzalez has not participated in practice since suffering a hamstring injury in late July. A return to practice next week would be a step in the right direction for the 2023 first-rounder, but he would likely need to log multiple practices to have a shot at being ready for Week 1 against the Raiders on Sunday, Sept. 7. Charles Woods, Alex Austin and Marcus Jones would be the top candidates to start at outside corner opposite Carlton Davis if Gonzalez is not available for the Patriots' regular-season opener.
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Patriots' Christian Gonzalez: Ruled out for exhibition finale
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Coach Mike Vrabel said Monday that Gonzalez (hamstring) will not practice this week and has been ruled out for Thursday's preseason finale against the Giants, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.
Gonzalez has essentially missed the entirety of training camp and the preseason after going down in one of the team's initial camp practices last month. The Patriots' No. 1 cover corner has a little less than three weeks to get ready for Week 1 against the Raiders on Sept. 7.
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Patriots' Christian Gonzalez: Won't practice this week
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Gonzalez (leg) will not participate in practice this week, Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald reports.
Gonzalez doesn't appear a candidate to retake the field in time to play Saturday, Aug. 16 against the Vikings, which will be New England's second preseason game. If that's the case, his final chance to log preseason action will come Thursday, Aug. 21 against the Giants. The 2023 first-round pick is recovering from a left leg injury sustained earlier in training camp.
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Patriots' Christian Gonzalez: Likely out until next week
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Head coach Mike Vrabel told reporters Wednesday that he expects Gonzalez (leg) to be out of practice for the rest of the week, Zack Cox of the Boston Herald reports.
Gonzalez is set to be limited to sideline work with trainers for the rest of the week while recovering from a left leg injury that he suffered during Monday's training camp practice. That does put the 2023 first-rounder on track to be healthy for the Patriots' preseason opener against the Commanders on Aug. 8, though it's unclear how many snaps he will play. In Gonzalez's absence, Alex Austin, Marcellas Dial and Marcus Jones should see more work at outside outside corner with the first-team defense.
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Patriots' Christian Gonzalez: Doesn't practice Tuesday
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Gonzalez (leg) did not participate in Tuesday's training camp practice, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.
Gonzalez was held out of Tuesday's session after injuring his left leg during team drills Monday. He was spotted near the end of Tuesday's practice with a compression sleeve on his leg, and the Patriots are treating the injury as "day-to-day," per Karen Guregian of MassLive.com. Gonzalez's absence gives Marcus Jones, Alex Austin and Marcellas Dial the opportunity to get more reps at outside corner with the first-team defense.
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Patriots' Christian Gonzalez: Logs DNP on Wednesday
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Gonzalez (concussion) didn't practice Wednesday.
Gonzalez sustained a concussion in the second quarter of New England's Week 17 loss the Chargers, so Wednesday's DNP comes as no surprise. The second-year corner from Oregon likely needs to upgrade to at least limited practice participation Thursday or Friday in order to play in the Patriots' regular-season finale against the Bills on Sunday. If Gonzalez is unable to clear the NFL's five-step concussion protocol in time to play in Week 18, Alex Austin will likely see additional snaps with New England's first-team defense.
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Patriots' Christian Gonzalez: Will not return
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Gonzalez will not return to Saturday's game versus the Chargers due to a concussion.
The injury occurred during the second quarter of Saturday's contest. Gonzalez recorded one solo tackle before exiting. In his absence, Alex Austin figures to be next in line at cornerback opposite Jonathan Jones, while Marcellas Dial could also see increased snaps.
