Patriots Get Christian Gonzalez Back for Week 6 Jets Showdown

The New England Patriots will have their top cornerback back for Sunday’s AFC East showdown with the New York Jets. Christian Gonzalez is off the team’s injury report and is expected to play at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, giving head coach Mike Vrabel’s defense its most important piece back at exactly the right time.




Gonzalez injured his shoulder in the Patriots’ Week 3 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars and has missed the last two games, against the Bills and the Raiders. He returned to practice this week, was listed as limited on Wednesday, and was upgraded to a full participant on Thursday — a clear sign he is ready to go. The All-Pro corner had vowed earlier in the week that he would be ready for the Jets game, and he will now suit up for his fourth game of the season following his blockbuster offseason extension.


A Thin Secondary Gets Its Anchor Back


Gonzalez’s return could not come at a better time for a banged-up Patriots secondary. Starting cornerback Carlton Davis III (neck) and rookie Karon Prunty (hamstring) have both been ruled out, leaving New England thin at the position after being forced to dress just three active cornerbacks in recent weeks.


Gonzalez is expected to draw the matchup against Jets star receiver Garrett Wilson, who leads New York with 31 catches, 374 yards and three touchdowns this season. The Jets could also get rookie wideout Omar Cooper Jr. and tight end Kenyon Sadiq back, so Gonzalez’s lockdown coverage gives Vrabel the flexibility to disguise coverages and support a thin group.


New England’s offense enters Sunday healthy at the most important spot: quarterback Drake Maye (right shoulder) was a full participant in practice this week.


Brown’s Status Still Up in the Air


While Gonzalez is back, the Patriots are still waiting on another big name. Wide receiver A.J. Brown opened his 21-day practice window on Wednesday and returned to the field after a four-game absence caused by the high-ankle sprain he suffered 30 snaps into his Patriots debut in the season opener against Seattle.


Brown is officially listed as questionable for Sunday. He would need to be activated off injured reserve by 4 p.m. ET on Saturday to play, and he deferred to Vrabel on the decision. “It felt pretty good. It’s one step at a time with me,” Brown said of his return to practice. “It’s definitely still up in the air.”


What’s Next


Kickoff is Sunday at Gillette Stadium, where the 3-2 Patriots host the 2-3 Jets in a key early-season divisional matchup. With Gonzalez back to anchor the secondary and a possible Brown return looming, New England has a chance to build real momentum as the AFC East race takes shape.




Location: Boston, MA, USA

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