Mike Vrabel on Christian Gonzalez’s possible Patriots debut

The wait to see Christian Gonzalez make his 2025 Patriots season debut might be coming to an finish towards the Panthers on Sunday.

Head coach Mike Vrabel, talking to reporters on Wednesday, supplied the clearest signal but that the proficient New England defensive again might be reinserted into the beginning lineup after lacking the primary three video games on account of lingering results of a hamstring harm.

“I believe that’s the plan,” Vrabel said when requested if it was meant to “ramp up” Gonzalez with the objective of getting him play towards Carolina. “Enthusiastic about his efforts and willingness to get again and work laborious and apply final week. And once more, I decided on the finish of the week that [he] simply wanted a bit of bit extra time.

“That’s what occurs while you begin this return to play. You apply and work laborious and see the way you reply after which decide if that participant’s prepared for a soccer recreation,” Vrabel added. “We felt like he in all probability wanted a bit of bit extra time, and hopefully he’ll be able to go. Excited to see him and everyone else apply right now.”

Gonzalez, 23, is the group’s prime cornerback, and a significant element of New England’s passing protection. With out him, the Patriots have yielded the fourth most passing yards within the NFL by way of three weeks.

Requested if he was pissed off at not with the ability to make his return in Week 3 after training previous to the sport, Gonzalez disputed any notion that he has been content material to stay on the sideline.

“I by no means don’t need to play,” he instructed reporters. “That narrative that’s on the market, I don’t know the place folks get it from. All I need to do is play soccer.”

Initially a first-round decide (the ultimate one made by Invoice Belichick as Patriots head coach), Gonzalez rapidly established himself as a powerful cornerback. In 2024, he was named a second-team All-Professional regardless of New England’s wider struggles amid a 4-13 season.

“Hopefully he progresses all through the week,” Vrabel concluded, “and he may help us.”