FOXBORO — 4 days out from the Patriots’ regular-season opener, Christian Gonzalez nonetheless was not able to return to the sphere.
New England’s star cornerback missed follow once more Wednesday, additional clouding his standing for Sunday’s Week 1 matchup towards the Las Vegas Raiders at Gillette Stadium.
“He’s persevering with to work, and he’ll do some stuff on the facet,” head coach Mike Vrabel mentioned earlier than follow. “I’m not going to rule anyone out (for Sunday). … We’ll proceed to work and deal with and guarantee that we’re doing all the pieces that we will to assist him and he’s doing all the pieces that he can to get again on the sphere. That’s the one replace that I’ve proper now.”
Gonzalez, a second-team All-Professional final season, injured his hamstring on July 28 and has not practiced since. He has been current at most practices, together with the Patriots’ joint periods in Minnesota final month, and Vrabel mentioned he’s remained attentive throughout his restoration.
“I do like the place he’s at from an engagement standpoint,” he mentioned. “We’ve been by way of this with different gamers, and I like the place he’s at from that standpoint. Within the conferences, locked in. Following alongside at follow, which is tough, to assume {that a} participant that’s not in there can comply with alongside. I’ve been by way of that as a participant and a coach, and I believe he’s completed a pleasant job of having the ability to do this.”
Vrabel wouldn’t say whether or not the group has thought of putting Gonzalez on injured reserve, which might sideline him for at the very least 4 video games.
“He simply gained’t be on the market right now,” he mentioned. “I can’t inform you a lot aside from that.”
The Patriots are counting on Gonzalez to be a pillar of their new-look protection this season. New England’s beginning cornerback duo of him and offseason signing Carlton Davis has the potential to be one of many NFL’s greatest if wholesome.
If Gonzalez can not return in time for this weekend’s sport towards the Raiders — whose passing assault is headlined by veteran quarterback Geno Smith, first-team All-Professional tight finish Brock Bowers and former Patriots large receiver Jakobi Meyers — Alex Austin can be his doubtless substitute reverse Davis.
After fielding a collection of questions on Gonzalez’s standing to open his information convention, Vrabel suggested reporters to “use (their) time as effectively as we will” and transfer on to different subjects.
“I do know Christian is a big a part of our group,” the coach mentioned, “however he’s not going to be on the market right now, and that’s all I can replace you with.”
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