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Patriots injury report: Christian Gonzalez not practicing, along with 2 key vets
"Just working hard, keep improving, staying engaged, still preparing as a starter, and asking questions in meetings, and all those things."
The Patriots returned to the practice field on Wednesday ahead of their Week 2 matchup against the Dolphins down in South Florida.
But, the odds aren’t looking good that star cornerback Christian Gonzalez will join them on the field for that road game at Hard Rock Stadium.
Gonzalez was once again ruled out of Wednesday’s practice at Gillette Stadium due to a lingering hamstring injury that has sidelined him since July 28.
Initially deemed as a soft-tissue ailment that wouldn’t limit him during regular-season action, Gonzalez has now not practiced in six weeks due to his injury.
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“I don’t think we’ll see him today,” Mike Vrabel said of Gonzalez during Wednesday’s press conference. “Continuing to improve, which is positive, and working hard. But I don’t think we’ll see him today on the practice field. Just working hard, keep improving, staying engaged, still preparing as a starter, and asking questions in meetings, and all those things. So, that’s where we’re at today.”
Even if Gonzalez did return to the practice field in the next two days, it remains to be seen if the All-Pro cornerback would have enough of a runway to get cleared for game action on Sunday afternoon.
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The potential absence of Gonzalez would once again stand as a brutal break for a Patriots defense that will be tasked with slowing down two explosive wideouts in Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
New England’s secondary was hampered by the loss of a shutdown corner in Gonzalez during Sunday’s Week 1 loss to the Raiders, as Vegas QB Geno Smith threw for 362 passing yards and had nine plays that went for 20-plus yards.
“We’re certainly going to have to make them earn it,” Vrabel said of slowing down Miami’s receiver corps without Gonzalez. “We’re going to have to find ways to get the drive stopped. We’ll have to do what the Colts did, which is turn it over or you’re going to have to make a play along the way. … Pick and choose your spots to try and be aggressive. It’s not just Tyreek.
“They have a fantastic orchestrator. Tua [Tagovailoa] does a fantastic job of knowing where he wants to go with the ball, quick delivery, extremely accurate, and then the speed with Waddle, Tyreek, and the whole team.”
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Gonzalez was far from the only absence from Wednesday’s practice in Foxborough.
According to New England’s injury report, Gonzalez was one of four players who did not participate in practice, joining a group that includes Harold Landry (foot), Morgan Moses (foot), and Keion White (illness).
While Gonzalez’s lingering hamstring ailment has been an ongoing issue for New England’s top defensive player, both Landry and Moses’ absences are new developments likely to concern Patriots fans.
Landry was one of the bright spots on New England’s roster during the team’s 20-13 loss to the Raiders in Week 1, with the free-agent pickup recording 2.5 sacks in his debut with the team.
Moses is New England’s starting right tackle, with the 34-year-old veteran spending Sunday’s game against Las Vegas trying to slow down star edge rusher Maxx Crosby.
If Moses is limited or ruled out for Week 2, New England’s offensive-line depth is set to be exposed, considering that 2025 seventh-round pick Marcus Bryant could be the next man up.
New England also had several players limited on the practice field Wednesday, headlined by wide receiver Kayshon Boutte — who is dealing with a shoulder injury. Boutte was Drake Maye’s top target against the Raiders, finishing the game with six catches for 103 receiving yards.
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Here’s New England’s full injury report from Wednesday:
Did Not Participate
CB Christian Gonzalez, Hamstring
LB Harold Landry III, Foot
T Morgan Moses, Foot
DE Keion White, Illness
Limited Participation
WR Kayshon Boutte, Shoulder
LB Christian Elliss, Shoulder
LB Marte Mapu, Neck
Full Participant
CB Charles Woods, Groin
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