Christian

Gonzalez

Reiss believes Gonzalez “might have been sending a message to the team this spring” by sitting out the majority of the voluntary program and participating only in “the lower-speed/lower-tempo parts of mandatory minicamp.” We think Reiss is probably onto something here. Gonzalez turned 24 today and has already earned one second-team All-Pro nod and Pro Bowl honors, and is under team control for two more years after his fifth-year option was picked up this offseason. It’s in Gonzalez’s best interests to do whatever he can to get an extension now, so a hold-in would not be a surprising result.

The Patriots hosted two OTA sessions last week, one of which was open to reporters. Gonzalez was not present. Reiss notes that Gonzalez “had participated in the team’s voluntary offseason program each of the prior three seasons.” His absence “coincides with this offseason marking the first time Gonzalez is eligible for a contract extension.” The Patriots exercised Gonzalez’s fifth-year option late in April, keeping him under contract through 2027. Rumors that both sides have been working on an extension have been swirling. Until Gonzalez misses mandatory work, this probably doesn’t mean much — but this is a sign that he could opt to skip mandatory work while his contract situation plays out.

Gonzalez will get a one-year, $18.1 million deal for 2027. The Patriots have reportedly been in extension talks with him at various points this offseason, so while nothing has gotten done yet, it’s certainly likely to be a point of discussion ahead of the season. New England’s No. 1 corner has developed into one of the best in the NFL in his first three seasons with the club.

Gonzalez was removed from the Patriots’ injury report on Friday following his Wild Card Round concussion and subsequent placement in the league’s concussion protocol. He’ll join a solid New England secondary going against a Texans offense that will be without Nico Collins (concussion). Patriots declared CB Kobee Minor, LB Bradyn Swinson, OT Marcus Bryant, DT Eric Gregory, G Caedan Wallace, TE CJ Dippre, and QB Tommy DeVito inactive against Houston.

Mike Vrabel said Gonzalez would be questionable before practice, but he cleared protocol and will officially suit up against the Texans on Sunday. The star cornerback is one of New England’s best players and it’s great news for their defense that he’ll not miss any time after leaving Sunday’s win over the Chargers with a concussion.

Gonzalez was a full participant yesterday and will likely be a full participant in practice today. We’d suspect he’s on the optimistic side of questionable to play against the Texans on Sunday, but concussion protocols can be tricky and there’s probably a small chance he sits out still.

He also, per Mike Reiss, shed the non-contact jersey on Thursday. It can be tricky to make definitive statements about concussion protocol, but Gonzalez certainly seems like he has a real chance to play against the Texans on Sunday.

Gonzalez is currently in the league’s concussion protocol and will presumably be limited in today’s practice. Still, it’s a step in the right direction from one of New England’s best defenders. Gonzalez suffered the brain injury versus the Chargers in the Wild Card Round and did not return. He tallied 10 pass breakups and 69 combined tackles during the regular season.

Gonzalez suffered a concussion in the second half of the Patriots Wild Card game victory over the Chargers on Sunday. The 23-year-old cornerback was having an excellent game with no catches allowed and two pass breakups on five targets in 27 coverage snaps. Gonzalez will have to clear concussion protocol sometime this week to be available for the Divisional matchup against the Texans or Steelers. It would be a big loss for the Patriots defense if his injury lingers.

Gonzalez took a tumble after getting tangled up with Chargers WR Quentin Johnston in the second half, slamming the back of his helmet onto the turf as he fell. Gonzalez remained on the field for the following play but was later called for a locker room examination by the sideline concussion spotter.