FOXBORO — May Christian Gonzalez make his season debut this Sunday in opposition to the Steelers?
That’s a risk, based on Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel.
“It’s an opportunity,” Vrabel mentioned Monday when requested in regards to the standing of his injured star cornerback. “There’s an opportunity that quite a lot of issues may occur. It’s Monday, and we’ll work out how he progresses alongside the week. We’ll see what he can do and have him do what he can do.”
Gonzalez, a second-team All-Professional final season, suffered a hamstring harm on July 28 and has not practiced or performed since. Vrabel mentioned the 23-year-old is “persevering with to enhance, working arduous and making an attempt to get again.”
Alex Austin changed Gonzalez within the lineup for New England’s first two video games, beginning reverse Carlton Davis III with Marcus Jones manning the slot. Austin performed each defensive snap within the Patriots’ Week 1 loss to the Raiders, then was on the sector for 82% of snaps in Sunday’s 33-27 victory over the Dolphins.
Austin struggled in opposition to Miami’s speedy receivers, permitting six catches on seven targets for 97 yards and a landing, per Professional Soccer Focus. He was in protection on a 47-yard completion to Tyreek Hill on third-and-13.
Charles Woods served as New England’s fourth cornerback within the win, logging two snaps on protection and 16 on particular groups.
The Patriots will maintain their first Week 3 follow on Wednesday.
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