Vrabel won’t say if Patriots CB Gonzalez suffered setback with hamstring injury

The damage standing surrounding the Patriots’ prime defensive participant seems to be a little bit of a thriller once more.

Christian Gonzalez can be questionable for Sunday’s recreation in opposition to the Saints after showing on the damage report once more this week resulting from a hamstring damage. As Gonazlez missed the primary three video games of the common season resulting from a hamstring ailment, Patriots coach Mike Vrabel wouldn’t say if the All-Professional cornerback suffered a setback with the damage.

“Christian can be questionable for the sport. We’ll proceed to watch him and see the place that goes,” Vrabel informed reporters when requested if Gonzalez suffered a setback. “We’ll attempt to decide at 10:30 a.m. Central Time, 90 minutes earlier than the sport. That’s the place we’re at and we’ll need to have a plan if he doesn’t go, and we’ll have a plan if he does go. Similar to all people else.”

Gonzalez was a full participant at Wednesday’s follow earlier than being restricted within the closing two practices of the week. On prime of lacking the primary three video games of the common season, Gonzalez missed the whole thing of the preseason and almost all of coaching camp when he suffered the hamstring damage through the group’s first padded follow in late July. He performed almost each single defensive snap within the Patriots’ wins over the Panthers and Payments.

Because the Patriots rapidly used Gonzalez upon his return, cornerbacks coach Justin Hamilton mentioned the team had a plan for him on how to deal with the injury. Hamilton talked about that Vrabel, head coach Jim Whalen, and director of sports activities efficiency Frank Piraino have been those who put collectively the plan for Gonzalez.

Nonetheless, Vrabel admitted on Friday that Gonzalez’s utilization in follow was his name as he defined why the cornerback may need been thought of restricted in follow.

“It’s on my plate,” Vrabel mentioned. “There’s completely different tempos on a Friday. We’ve obtained some velocity durations. And a few jog by way of durations. And so, by the foundations, I’d say that by the letter of the legislation, you must record – if it’s each single factor and each single rep, then it’s full. So, perhaps he took one lower than he took final Friday. I don’t know. I’m not making an attempt to be humorous right here.”

Gonzalez has been efficient in his first two video games. He’s solely allowed three receptions on seven targets for 54 yards, per Professional Soccer Focus. He’s additionally logged 9 mixed tackles and a move breakup.

“We’re going to watch and see how he feels, and if he feels good to go and assured – which I hope that he’s – then he’s going to play within the recreation,” Vrabel mentioned of Gonzalez.

On prime of Gonzalez’s damage, the Patriots’ secondary can be coping with an damage at security. Jaylinn Hawkins is out with a hamstring damage, which he performed by way of within the Patriots’ win over the Payments final week.

Regardless of Hawkins’s damage, Vrabel mentioned he felt “good” about his security group and defined what function particular teamer Brenden Schooler may have on the place after making his season debut on protection in Week 5.

“We’ll see the place it goes this week because it pertains to regular downs and distances,” Vrabel mentioned. “However he’s lengthy, he can run, he’s a very good deal with, and he has a fantastic play model.”

Along with Hawkins, linebacker Anfernee Jennings, defensive finish Keion White, and working again Antonio Gibson have been dominated out for Sunday’s recreation. Linebacker Marte Mapu and cornerback Charles Woods are the opposite two Patriots gamers listed as questionable.