Christian

Gonzalez

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.

Gonzalez left Week 9’s game against the Falcons for a concussion check. A full practice means he will be good to go for Week 10 against the Bucs. Gonzalez will likely be tasked with covering Emeka Egbuka this week.

Gonzalez hit his head on the field after Drake London beat him to a 40-yard jump ball in the second half of the Pats’ Week 9 game against the Falcons. He is likely being evaluated for a concussion and did not return to the game.

Defensive tackle Milton Williams is also active. Inactive for the Patriots are QB Tommy DeVito, OLB Anfernee Jennings, DE Keion White, S Jaylinn Hawkins, OL Caedan Wallace, and DT Eric Gregory.