Mike Vrabel shares positive Christian Gonzalez update ahead of Patriots practice

The Patriots went into their matchup against the Chargers at the healthiest they had been all season, which couldn't have come at a better time. Although they were still down some players, like WR Mack Hollins, who's on injured reserve, they did see the returns of linebackers Harold Landry III and Robert Spillane, who were missed over the past month.

For much of the game, they were able to avoid anyone getting hurt, until a third-quarter save by cornerback Christian Gonzalez shook him up and put him in concussion protocol.

It was a vulnerable situation for the secondary to play without their superstar cornerback, but they managed to hold it down. But he spent the next few days in protocol, making it look like he might not be good to go when the Texans come to town on Sunday.

That changed on Wednesday, however, when Mike Vrabel announced that Gonzalez should be practicing with his teammates, which also opens the door for him to suit up for their divisional round game.

That is huge news, considering there was a chance Gonzalez could miss at least one game. Practicing midweek is a good sign and certainly provides some assurance for the defense moving forward.

Christian Gonzalez's potential return is a great sign for the Patriots' defense

Although the cornerback room is filled with stud players beyond Gonzalez, like Carlton Davis III and Marcus Jones, clearly, they're better when he is on the field.

They shouldn't have to worry about him being absent this week, which could have been a disaster going against the Texans with the firepower of Nico Collins and Christian Kirk, both of whom have been impressive in recent weeks.

There is a chance Collins won't play, though, since he also left last week's game due to a possible concussion, so we'll have to see what happens there. Regardless, Gonzalez gives the Patriots' defense the edge they'll need to slow down CJ Stroud, which wouldn't have been the case if he couldn't play.

We won't know until later in the week whether Gonzalez will be officially cleared to play or not, but this is still a good sign for now.

UPDATE:

Gonzalez was, indeed, at practice, but was seen wearing a red non-contact jersey.