New England Patriots All-Pro cornerback Christian Gonzalez won’t return to the practice field on Wednesday, mere days before the start of the 2025 season.
Pats head coach Mike Vrabel said as much ahead of that day’s practice, although he still wouldn’t rule out Gonzalez from playing in Sunday’s season opener vs. the Raiders.
“I wouldn’t say he’s (ruled out). He’s continuing to work. He’ll do some stuff on the side. I’m not going to rule anybody out …,” Vrabel said. “We’ll continue to work and treat and do everything we can to help him, and he’s doing everything he can to get back out on the field.”
Gonzalez has been sidelined since suffering a hamstring injury on July 28. The No. 17 overall pick in the 2023 draft, Gonzalez played just four games as a rookie before suffering a season-ending torn labrum.
Last season, he started 16 games, recording 59 tackles, 11 pass deflections and two interceptions to earn a second-team All-Pro honor. He made his debut in this year’s NFL Top 100 players list at No. 84.
If Gonzalez is sidelined, Marcus Jones is listed as his backup on the Patriots’ unofficial depth chart on the team’s website.