Mike Reiss
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — New England Patriots beginning cornerback Christian Gonzalez will not play in Sunday's season opener towards the Las Vegas Raiders resulting from a hamstring damage, head coach Mike Vrabel stated Friday.
Gonzalez, who was a second-team All-Professional in 2024, sustained the damage in apply on July 28 whereas protecting huge receiver Stefon Diggs on a crossing route. He pulled up, holding the again of his left leg, and hasn't practiced since.
The Patriots entered 2025 with excessive hopes for a 1-2 cornerback mixture of Gonzalez and veteran Carlton Davis III, whom they signed to a three-year, $54 million contract that features $34.5 million in ensures in March. Vrabel had joked that the Patriots' plan was to play “cat protection” with Gonzalez and Davis — “You bought that cat, I bought this cat, and we will go to work.”
Now Vrabel stated the Patriots might be turning to Alex Austin, who has needed to claw his manner so far since coming into the NFL as a seventh-round draft selection of the Buffalo Payments in 2023 out of Oregon State. The 6-foot-1, 191-pound Austin, who was waived by the Payments on the finish of 2023 coaching camp after which performed in three video games for the Texans, initially joined the Patriots in November of 2023.
He has since performed in 17 video games (4 begins) in New England and has most not too long ago been working as a prime backup to Gonzalez, along with taking part in within the slot. Fourth-year professional Marcus Jones (31 video games, 14 begins) and 2024 sixth-round draft choose DJ James (no profession video games) are different choices for Vrabel and his workers to contemplate in Gonzalez's place.
Gonzalez, a 2023 first-round draft select of Oregon, might be eligible for a contract extension for the primary time after the 2025 season. He was restricted to 4 video games as a rookie after sustaining a torn labrum and dislocated proper shoulder in Week 4 that season. Regardless of the damage, he had been named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month for September.
In 2024, Gonzalez began the primary 16 video games of the season, and his particular person efficiency was one of many highlights of a disappointing 4-13 season. He totaled 59 tackles, 11 passes defended and a pair of interceptions, and in addition had a fumble restoration that he returned 63 yards for a landing. He missed the ultimate recreation of the 12 months resulting from a concussion, in accordance with the group's damage report.
Vrabel additionally stated that beginning left sort out Will Campbell, the first-round choose from LSU, is questionable for the sport resulting from an ankle damage. Campbell was added to the damage report Thursday as a restricted participant.
