New England Patriots
Gonzalez returned to observe this week and was initially dominated as questionable to play in Sunday’s recreation.
The Patriots must wait one other week earlier than their high defensive participant makes their season debut.
Christian Gonzalez has been downgraded to out for Sunday’s recreation in opposition to the Steelers as a consequence of his hamstring damage, the group introduced Saturday.
The All-Professional cornerback was initially listed as questionable for Sunday’s recreation, with Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel suggesting that Gonzalez could be a game-time resolution to play in opposition to the Steelers.
“We listed him as restricted, which signifies that he did some work, and we’ll nonetheless type of consider the place he’s at in direction of nearer to the sport,” Vrabel instructed reporters on Friday. “So once more, it was good to see him on the market. It’s superb to have him on the market, and the extra guys we will get on the market, the higher.”
Gonzalez returned to observe for the primary time this week after being sidelined since July 28 with the hamstring damage. Within the practically two months that Gonzalez was sidelined, there weren’t many updates about how he was progressing in his damage.
Gonzalez didn’t share many particulars concerning the damage when he spoke about his hamstring on Wednesday. Nevertheless, he expressed how troublesome the damage was for him.
“It’s been very difficult to be out for thus lengthy. However I’m centered on the right here and now,” Gonzalez mentioned. “I’m not likely too anxious concerning the damage. I’m not going to reply any questions on that, we’re simply centered on the Steelers.”
“It’s been laborious,” Gonzalez added. “It’s been robust. However it’s a part of soccer. All the pieces in soccer is hard. It’s going to check you bodily. It’s going to check you mentally. It’s simply part of it.”
The 23-year-old Gonzalez emerged as among the finest cornerbacks within the NFL final season, incomes second-team All-Professional honors. Along with two interceptions, Gonzalez allowed 46 receptions on 84 targets for simply 499 yards and two touchdowns final season, per Professional Soccer Focus.
So, when Gonzalez does return, he could be a significant elevate to the Patriots’ protection — and that’s earlier than mentioning their struggles in opposition to the go this season. New England’s go protection ranks thirty second within the NFL by means of the primary two weeks of the season, with Geno Smith and Tua Tagovailoa every recording 300-plus-yard days in opposition to the unit.
Sunday presents one other problem for the Patriots’ protection within the passing recreation. Future Corridor of Famer Aaron Rodgers regarded sharp in Week 1 earlier than struggling in opposition to the Seahawks final week. DK Metcalf, in the meantime, hasn’t achieved an excessive amount of injury but in Pittsburgh, recording seven receptions for 103 yards and a landing by means of the primary two video games. Nonetheless, the expertise is an excessive amount of to disregard.
Alex Austin and Marcus Jones have largely break up the duties in changing Gonzalez on the surface to begin the season, enjoying alongside Carlton Davis. Austin has had probably the most struggles of these three, permitting 9 receptions on 12 targets for 153 yards and a landing by means of the primary two video games, per PFF.
Defensive finish Keion White (sickness) and fullback Jack Westover (hamstring) had been the one different Patriots gamers questionable for Sunday’s recreation. White missed the Patriots’ Week 2 win over the Dolphins because of the sickness.
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