Patriots to be without Gonzalez, Polk in Vikings joint practices

Anybody hoping to see one of many recreation’s finest broad receivers and one of many recreation’s finest cornerbacks going head-to-head at Patriots-Vikings joint follow this week might be out of luck.

Patriots star cornerback Christian Gonzalez gained’t be a participant after they maintain a joint follow with the Vikings in Minnesota later this week, Mike Vrabel advised reporters Sunday. Moreover, broad receiver Ja’Lynn Polk gained’t make the journey to Minnesota, both, however cornerback Carlton Davis and offensive sort out Morgan Moses will make the journey.

“You’ll in all probability see Christian in Minnesota, you gained’t see him on the sector in all probability in a uniform,” Vrabel stated.

Gonzalez hasn’t practiced since July 28, when he suffered a hamstring harm throughout New England’s first follow with pads of coaching camp. Shortly after, a number of experiences indicated that Gonzalez would miss time, however was anticipated to return for the beginning of the season.

Nonetheless, Gonzalez’s absence from the 2 days of joint practices (Wednesday and Thursday) prevents him from getting an excellent preseason check towards one of many prime broad receivers within the league in Justin Jefferson. The 2022 Offensive Participant of the 12 months was named first-team All-Professional in 2024, similar to Gonzalez. With Gonzalez not practising this week, he’ll nearly definitely miss Saturday’s preseason recreation, too.

As for Polk, he went down with an obvious shoulder harm in Friday’s preseason win over the Commanders. He was favoring his proper shoulder after happening on a jet sweep for a one-yard acquire, getting medical consideration on the sideline and didn’t return for recreation motion.

The upcoming practices for Polk may’ve been very important in his probabilities to make the 53-man roster. The Patriots’ 2024 second-round decide has been seen as a possible minimize candidate as over 10 broad receivers compete for the roster.

Davis has practiced little or no in coaching camp, however he was on the sector on Sunday. Vrabel has defined not less than considered one of Davis’s days off from follow was on account of a “upkeep day.”

Moses was additionally on the follow discipline Sunday after lacking Friday’s preseason opener towards the Commanders. Moses, the Patriots’ projected beginning proper sort out, has been load-managed all through coaching camp, with Vrabel saying he feels good concerning the path the 34-year-old veteran is on.