Christian Gonzalez Misses Patriots Debut Due to Injury
New England Patriots starting cornerback Christian Gonzalez will not participate in the season opener against the Las Vegas Raiders due to a hamstring injury, according to head coach Mike Vrabel.
Gonzalez, who was selected for the second All-Pro team in 2024, suffered the injury during a training session on July 28 while covering wide receiver Stefon Diggs.
The player stopped, holding the back of his left leg, and has not participated in training since then.
The Patriots were hoping to have the combination of Gonzalez and veteran Carlton Davis III at cornerback. Davis III was signed to a three-year, $54 million contract in March.
Vrabel joked that the Patriots’ plan was to play a “cat” coverage with Gonzalez and Davis.
Now, Vrabel could turn to Alex Austin, who has fought to get to this point since entering the NFL as a seventh-round pick of the Buffalo Bills in 2023.
Austin, who is 6-foot-1 and 191 pounds, was released by the Bills at the end of the 2023 training camp and then played in three games with the Texans. He joined the Patriots in November 2023.
Since then, he has played in 17 games (4 as a starter) in New England and has been working as Gonzalez’s main substitute, as well as playing in the slot. Marcus Jones and D.J. James are other options that Vrabel and his staff may consider instead of Gonzalez.
Gonzalez, a 2023 first-round selection, will be eligible for a contract extension after the 2025 season. He was limited to playing four games as a rookie after suffering a torn labrum and a dislocated right shoulder in Week 4 of that season. Despite the injury, he was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month in September.
In 2024, Gonzalez started in the first 16 games of the season and his individual performance was one of the highlights of a disappointing 4-13 season. He recorded 59 tackles, 11 passes defended, and two interceptions, and also had a fumble recovery that he returned 63 yards for a touchdown. He missed the last game of the year due to a concussion, according to the team’s injury report.
Vrabel also mentioned that starting left tackle, Will Campbell, is questionable for the game due to an ankle injury. Campbell was listed on the injury report Thursday as a limited participant.
