The Patriots will have to play Sunday's regular-season opener vs. the Raiders without star CB Christian Gonzalez (hamstring), the team announced in their final injury report on Friday.
As arguably the best player on their roster, playing the regular-season opener without Gonzalez is a significant blow to the Patriots. The reigning second-team All-Pro honoree hasn't practiced since suffering a hamstring injury covering a pass route on July 28. Gonzalez was running across the field with WR Stefon Diggs in 11-on-11s early in camp when he pulled up, grabbing the back of his leg. Since then, we've only seen Gonzalez watch practice off to the side in street clothes. Given that he hasn't practiced in 39 days, it's not surprising that Gonzalez won't play on Sunday.
Speaking to reporters earlier this week, head coach Mike Vrabel gave an update on Gonzalez's progress from a prolonged absence that will continue into the regular season.
"​​He's continuing to work, and he'll do some stuff on the side," Vrabel said. "We'll continue to work and treat and make sure that we're doing everything that we can to help him, and he's doing everything he can to get back out on the field. That's the only update I have right now.
"I do like where he's at from an engagement standpoint. 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. To think that a player that's not in there can follow along, I've been through that as a player and a coach, and I think he's done a nice job of being able to do that."
As for how the Patriots will match up with the Raiders without Gonzalez, free-agent addition Carlton Davis and captain Marcus Jones were already projected to play significant roles on defense this season. Along with Davis and Jones, third-year pro Alex Austin has elevated his game this summer to become a legitimate starting option at either outside or slot corner. Austin's ascension to being a consistent practice player gives you confidence in him stepping into a larger role in Gonzalez's place. The 24-year-old could start on the outside opposite Davis, or play inside, where he's a larger body type who can cover big slot receivers or tight ends.
This week, the Patriots primary focus in the passing game will likely be on Raiders TE Brock Bowers. After being selected with the 13th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Bowers set an NFL rookie record with 112 receptions and a rookie tight end record with 1,194 receiving yards in his first season. The second-year star is a dynamic receiving tight end with high-end separation quickness and a 6-foot-3 frame to win the ball at the catch point. From this perspective, New England could treat Bowers as a de facto wide receiver, putting a corner such as Austin or Davis on Bowers in obvious passing situations rather than a linebacker or safety.
Besides their elite tight end, Vegas QB Geno Smith's pass-catchers are old friend Jakobi Meyers, speed-slot Tre Tucker, and rookies Dont'e Thornton and Jack Bech. Based on the preseason and training camp, most expect the Raiders three-receiver sets to be WR Meyers (Z), WR Thornton (X), WR Tucker (slot) and TE Bowers (Y). If the Patriots put Austin or Davis on Bowers, the trickle-down effect is where they might miss Gonzalez because camp riser D.J. James will have to play a larger role. James could cover Thornton, a big-bodied outside receiver with good vertical speed, rather than Austin (Gonzo likely would've covered Meyers, if healthy).
James's sticky coverage and ball skills earned him a spot on the Patriots initial roster. After being drafted by the Seahawks in the sixth round, the first-year pro spent most of the 2024 season on the Patriots practice squad. The Auburn product certainly earned a roster spot with a solid training camp, and Thornton is a fourth-round rookie with a limited route tree coming out of college. Still, it's a matchup to watch as one would expect that the Raiders will throw a deep ball or two to Thornton, who had some impressive wins at the catch point during the preseason.
On Thursday, starting LT Will Campbell popped up on the injury report with a new ankle injury. After being limited in the last two practices, Campbell is officially questionable for Sunday's opener. If he can't play or is limited, New England's options behind Campbell are rookie swing tackle Marcus Bryant and holdover Vederian Lowe, who started 13 games at left tackle for the Patriots last season. Vrabel told reporters that rookie Jared Wilson is expected to start at left guard. Assuming the No. 4 overall pick can play, the Patriots projected starting offensive line is LT Will Campbell (questionable), LG Jared Wilson, C Garrett Bradbury, RG Mike Onwenu, and RT Morgan Moses.
Along with Campbell, DT Christian Barmore (not injury related) was a limited participant in the last two practices of the week but is good to go for Sunday. During training camp, Barmore's workload was managed throughout the summer as he worked his way back from battling blood clots last season. Based on his practice participation this week, that plan appears to continue into Week 1, signalling that Barmore could be on a snap count on Sunday. Lastly, CB Charles Woods is questionable with his groin injury while WR Efton Chism III (knee) won't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game.
On a positive note, WR Stefon Diggs is good to go roughly 10 months removed from tearing his ACL while playing for the Texans last October. Diggs was a full participant in practice this week and throughout training camp. The four-time Pro Bowler appears to still have plenty left in the tank with noticeable burst and the technical savvy Diggs is known for as a route runner. New England hasn't had a 1,000-yard receiver since Patriots Hall of Famer Julian Edelman in the 2019 season. A healthy Diggs has a chance to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark as a high-volume receiver in the Patriots passing game.
Next up on the docket for the Patriots before Sunday's opener vs. the Raiders is practice squad elevations by 4 p.m. ET on Saturday. One under-the-radar spot still up for grabs is the gunner position opposite All-Pro special-teamer Brenden Schooler. According to special teams coordinator Jeremy Springer, the Pats are still undecided on who will be their top gunners, so New England could use a practice-squad elevation to fill that role. One name to keep in mind is practice-squad DB Corey Ballentine, who has NFL experience as a gunner, and could serve as depth at cornerback without Gonzalez in the lineup.
The highly anticipated debut for Mike Vrabel as Patriots head coach kicks off at 1 p.m. ET vs. the Raiders at Gillette Stadium on Sunday.
DISCLAIMER: The views and thoughts expressed in this article are those of the writer and don't necessarily reflect those of the organization. Read Full Disclaimer
