New England Patriots
Gonzalez returned to practice this week and was initially ruled as questionable to play in Sunday’s game.
The Patriots will have to wait another week before their top defensive player makes their season debut.
Christian Gonzalez has been downgraded to out for Sunday’s game against the Steelers due to his hamstring injury, the team announced Saturday.
The All-Pro cornerback was initially listed as questionable for Sunday’s game, with Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel suggesting that Gonzalez would be a game-time decision to play against the Steelers.
“We listed him as limited, which means that he did some work, and we’ll still kind of evaluate where he’s at towards closer to the game,” Vrabel told reporters on Friday. “So again, it was good to see him out there. It’s very good to have him out there, and the more guys we can get out there, the better.”
Gonzalez returned to practice for the first time this week after being sidelined since July 28 with the hamstring injury. In the nearly two months that Gonzalez was sidelined, there weren’t many updates about how he was progressing in his injury.
Gonzalez didn’t share many details about the injury when he spoke about his hamstring on Wednesday. However, he expressed how difficult the injury was for him.
“It’s been very challenging to be out for so long. But I’m focused on the here and now,” Gonzalez said. “I’m not really too worried about the injury. I’m not going to answer any questions on that, we’re just focused on the Steelers.”
“It’s been hard,” Gonzalez added. “It’s been tough. But it’s part of football. Everything in football is tough. It’s going to test you physically. It’s going to test you mentally. It’s just a part of it.”
The 23-year-old Gonzalez emerged as one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL last season, earning second-team All-Pro honors. In addition to two interceptions, Gonzalez allowed 46 receptions on 84 targets for just 499 yards and two touchdowns last season, per Pro Football Focus.
So, when Gonzalez does return, he would be a major lift to the Patriots’ defense — and that’s before mentioning their struggles against the pass this season. New England’s pass defense ranks 32nd in the NFL through the first two weeks of the season, with Geno Smith and Tua Tagovailoa each recording 300-plus-yard days against the unit.
Sunday presents another challenge for the Patriots’ defense in the passing game. Future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers looked sharp in Week 1 before struggling against the Seahawks last week. DK Metcalf, meanwhile, hasn’t done too much damage yet in Pittsburgh, recording seven receptions for 103 yards and a touchdown through the first two games. Still, the talent is too much to ignore.
Alex Austin and Marcus Jones have largely split the duties in replacing Gonzalez on the outside to start the season, playing alongside Carlton Davis. Austin has had the most struggles of those three, allowing nine receptions on 12 targets for 153 yards and a touchdown through the first two games, per PFF.
Defensive end Keion White (illness) and fullback Jack Westover (hamstring) were the only other Patriots players questionable for Sunday’s game. White missed the Patriots’ Week 2 win over the Dolphins due to the illness.
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