Christian

Gonzalez

Gonzalez and Henry are both dealing with injuries and will miss the season’s final game. The Bills will be resting many of their top offensive playmakers, so the loss of Gonzalez shouldn’t be a huge issue on Sunday. One name not listed here is Joe Milton, who is active on Sunday and could see additional reps if the team wants to limit Drake Maye’s potential injury risk. A loss for the Patriots would secure them the top pick in the NFL draft, so there’s some thought that seeing what Milton looks like for the majority of this game could be of interest to them this weekend.

Safety Jabrill Peppers is also out. Fellow safety Kyle Dugger is questionable. Gonzalez’s second season ends with 11 pass breakups, two picks, and a recovered fumble which he returned for a touchdown. Though his efforts didn’t do much to change the Pariots’ fortunes this year, Gonzalez remains a cornerstone piece for this defense.

The 3-13 Patriots have no reason to rush their No. 1 CB back into action in a lost season. The Patriots face the division rival Bills in Week 18, whose receiving corps should have an easier-than-expected time against the short-staffed secondary.

Gonzalez took a hit to the head after making a tackle on Chargers WR Ladd McConkey. He exited the drive and headed to the blue medical tent to be evaluated. Gonzalez was initially questionable to return, but was subsequently ruled out in the second quarter. He will have a chance to return Week 18 against the Bills, though he may be held out with the Pats’ season all but done. Gonzalez has two interceptions, 11 passes defended, and a fumble return for touchdown this season.

Gonzalez had been listed as questionable earlier in the week, but the Patriots always felt like he was trending toward playing. After doing a pre-game workout, he was deemed good to go which is a big help with the Patriots set to take on Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle today.

The same is true of defensive lineman Christian Barmore, who was listed as questionable after missing two practices for non-injury reasons this week. Barmore was added tot he injury report with a hip issue on Friday, causing some concern for his Week 12 availability. The Pats remain significant underdogs to the Dolphins this week, but getting the young duo of Barmore and Gonzalez on the field is a small boost to a defensive unit that has struggled this year.

In typical Patriots fashion, there are 10 players listed as questionable on the team’s injury report. Gonzalez is the most eyebrow-raising as he was added to the report as a limited participant on Friday before being listed as questionable. The second-year corner has six pass breakups and one interception this season. Losing him would make an already easy matchup for Tua Tagovailoa even better.

Gonzalez said his shoulder injury is in the past but couldn’t give a definitive timeline for his return to practice. The first-round corner got off to a hot start as a rookie before suffering a torn Labrum in Week 4 against the Cowboys. Through four weeks, Gonzalez had one pick, three pass breakups, and a sack. Barring a setback, Gonzalez should get to participate in the bulk of the Patriots’ offseason program.

Gonzalez tore his labrum and injured his shoulder in the team’s Week 4 loss to the Cowboys and will miss the rest of his rookie campaign. It’s a devastating loss for New England’s struggling defense, which has allowed the tenth highest completion rate (68 percent) to opposing quarterbacks through Week 4. The Patriots acquired J.C. Jackson from the Chargers to fill in for Gonzalez. Last year, Jackson was graded by PFF as the NFL’s worst cover corner.

Gonzalez exited Week 4’s contest against the Cowboys with a shoulder injury and didn’t return to the game. We don’t yet know the exact nature of his injury or the severity of it, but according to Schefter, Gonzalez is seeking a second opinion on his injury. Gonzalez earned Defensive Player of the Month honors last weekend, and stood tall against stout group of receivers through his first three games. The loss of the promising young rookie is one of two blows the Patriots were dealt on Sunday, with Matthew Judon (biceps) also out indefinitely.