Christian Gonzalez questionable for Patriots' Week 6 game vs. Saints
Christian Gonzalez was limited for the Patriots at Thursday's practice, which created a bit of a commotion in New England. Buckle up, because the star cornerback is considered questionable for Sunday's Week 6 matchup with Saints in New Orleans, head coach Mike Vrabel announced Friday.
At least Gonzalez was back on the field for Friday's practice, which was held inside Gillette Stadium in Foxboro. He was once again limited for the session, which was mostly a stretch period and walk-through for New England.
"Christian will be questionable for the game. We'll continue to monitor him and see where that goes. We'll try to make a decision 90 minutes before the game," Vrabel told reporters Friday. "That's where we're at and we'll have to have a plan if he doesn't go, and we'll have a plan if he does go. Just like everybody else.
"We're going to monitor and see how he feels, and if he's feels good to go and confident – which I hope that he is – then then he's going to play in the game," added Vrabel.
Maybe this is just Vrabel playing some mind games with the Saints. Patriots cornerbacks coach Justin Hamilton told reporters Thursday that Gonzalez being limited was part of a pre-determined plan with Vrabel, head athletic trainer Jim Whalen, and director of sports performance Frank Piraino.
But anything regarding Gonzalez and his health is worth keeping a close eye on, considering his importance to the New England defense and the team as a whole. Gonzalez is one of the best players on the Patriots -- if not the best player -- and his impact has been clear since he returned from a hamstring injury.
After missing the first three weeks of the season, Gonzalez has locked down opposing offenses over the last two weeks for the Patriots. He played all 61 defensive snaps in last week's upset win over the Buffalo Bills, and had two huge pass breakups late in the game against Keon Coleman and Kalil Shakir.
While Gonzalez has a 50-50 chance to play Sunday in New Orleans, the Patriots already know they'll be down a few players on the defensive side of the football in Week 6.
Patriots-Saints Week 6 injury report
New England safety Jaylinn Hawkins (hamstring), defensive end Keion White (elbow), and linebacker Anfernee Jennings (ankle) have all been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Saints. Hawkins and White missed all three days of practice, while Jennings missed Thursday and Friday.
In addition to Gonzalez, linebacker Marte Mapu (neck/hamstring) and cornerback Charles Woods (knee) are questionable for Sunday afternoon. Both were limited for Friday's practice.
Not having Hawkins will leave the Patriots without one of their two starting safeties. New England will rely on rookie Craig Woodson, Kyle Dugger, Dell Pettus, and special teamer Brenden Schooler to hold down the safety position on Sunday.
"I feel good. I think they're prepared," Vrabel said of the group. "They've all been practicing and preparing and we feel good about any of those guys. From Dell playing to Schooler playing, they've been working hard."
The New England defense will have linebacker K'Lavon Chaisson back on Sunday, after he missed last week's game with a knee injury. Chaisson, who has 2.5 sacks on the season, was a full participant Friday after he was limited on both Wednesday and Thursday.
Patriots running back Antonio Gibson, who reportedly tore his ACL last week against Buffalo, has also been ruled out for Sunday's game. New England officially placed him on IR late Friday afternoon.
Cornerback Isaac Yiadom (hamstring) is the only player to be ruled out for New Orleans, while running back Alvin Kamara (ankle) and defensive tackle John Ridgeway III are both questionable. Ridgeway III returned to practice this week but is currently on IR and will have to be added to New Orleans' active roster before Sunday's game.