On Sunday, the New England Patriots will be without cornerback Christian Gonzalez for their 2025 season opener against the Las Vegas Raiders. Gonzalez, an All-Pro in just his second NFL season, is sidelined due to a lingering hamstring injury, coach Mike Vrabel confirmed.
Left tackle Will Campbell, the team’s 2025 first-round pick, is listed as questionable with an ankle injury. Campbell sustained the injury on July 28 and has yet to practice, leaving his Week 1 status uncertain.
Vrabel discussed Gonzalez’s recovery on Sept. 4, noting the difficulty in predicting return timelines. [NYtimes]
“It just hasn’t gone — again, he’s working hard, and whether it’s — we can say one injury is going to be three to four weeks, one is going to be one to two. Everybody heals differently,” Vrabel said earlier this week. “So, just making sure that when the players are back, that they can do their job with confidence, that they can protect themselves on the field and that they can’t make it any worse. Those are some things that I try to use as guidelines for when players are ready to play.”
He emphasized that players must be confident, able to protect themselves, and not risk worsening the injury before returning. Gonzalez has not been placed on injured reserve, suggesting the Patriots don’t expect him to miss four or more games.
His absence impacts New England’s man-heavy defensive scheme, which pairs him against opponents’ top receivers. With Gonzalez out, the Patriots may need to adjust, relying on free-agent addition Carlton Davis for secondary coverage. Despite the setback, Vrabel praised Gonzalez’s focus:
“I do like where he’s at from an engagement standpoint,” Vrabel said. “We’ve been through this with other players, and I like where he’s at from that standpoint. In the meetings, locked in, following along at practice, which is difficult.”
Gonzalez, the 2023 first-round pick, is coming off a strong 2024 season with a second-team All-Pro nod. He regularly plays against top receivers and is eligible for a contract extension this offseason. Week 1 and the early season are key for both the player and team plans.
