Patriots' Christian Gonzalez: Nursing ankle injury
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Gonzalez has been working through an ankle injury that has prevented him from practicing, Ben Volin of The Boston Globe reports.
Gonzalez was sidelined this past week due to his injury and did not play in the Patriots' 13-13 preseason tie with the Colts on Thursday. The expectation is that the fourth-year cornerback will be ready for Week 1, but it's unclear whether he'll be available for either of the Patriots' remaining two exhibition games. Gonzalez is also negotiating with New England on a contract extension, which could partly explain his extended absence.
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Patriots' Christian Gonzalez: Expects to play Week 1
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Coach Mike Vrabel expects Gonzalez (undisclosed) to play in the Patriots' Week 1 rematch with the Super Bowl champion Seahawks, Chris Mason of masslive.com reports.
Gonzalez missed Tuesday's joint practice with the Colts and was not on the sideline for Thursday night's preseason opener. The cornerback is reportedly just resting with a minor injury, but the stalemate with the Patriots in regard to a contract extension for the young star may also come into play. Regardless of why Gonzalez has missed time during the preseason, it appears that the 24-year-old will be available to begin the regular season no matter where his contract situation ends up.
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Patriots' Christian Gonzalez: Doesn't practice Tuesday
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Gonzalez (undisclosed) did not participate in Tuesday's training camp practice, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.
Gonzalez appeared to pick up a minor injury toward the tail end of Monday's practice, but the 2023 first-rounder is also in the midst of contract extension talks with the Patriots in an effort to become the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL. It's unclear whether Gonzalez will be available for Thursday's preseason opener against the Colts.
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Patriots' Christian Gonzalez: Full participant Thursday
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Gonzalez was a full participant in Thursday's practice session, Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald reports.
Thursday was the first day of padded practice, and Gonzalez participated without restrictions. The cornerback had been staging a hold-in while seeking a contract extension, but he appears to be changing his strategy and is displaying a willingness to work with the organization as they discuss a potential deal.
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Patriots' Christian Gonzalez: Reports for minicamp
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Gonzalez reported to New England's mandatory minicamp Tuesday, Mike Reiss of ESPN reports.
Gonzalez is back with the team after skipping most of the voluntary offseason program while holding out for a contract extension. The Patriots picked up the 23-year-old's fifth-year option in April, but Gonzalez continues to negotiate a long-term extension with the team.
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Patriots' Christian Gonzalez: Contract option picked up
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The Patriots have exercised Gonzalez's fifth-year contract option, Mark Daniels of masslive.com reports.
As a result of the expected move, Gonzalez -- who was a Pro Bowler last season -- is in line to earn $18.1 million in 2027. Beyond that, it's still plausible that the 2023 third-rounder lands a lucrative extension from the Patriots down the road. Gonzalez is coming of a 2025 regular season in which he recorded a career-high 69 tackles and 10 defensed passes in 14 games while working as a starting cornerback opposite Carlton Davis.
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Patriots' Christian Gonzalez: Enjoys another strong campaign
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Gonzalez played in 14 regular-season contests (all starts) in 2025, recording 69 tackles and 10 defensed passes.
Gonzalez missed the first three games of the campaign due to a hamstring injury but was healthy enough to play the remainder of the season. He was a standout in pass coverage, earning his first career Pro Bowl nod. Gonzalez also shined in the postseason, notching 19 tackles (including 1.0 sacks) and seven defensed passes (including an interception) along with a forced fumble across four contests. He'll be in the final year of his rookie contract in 2026, but given his standout play the past two years, it wouldn't be surprising if New England looks to ink him to an extension.
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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: 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.
