Now that roster cuts are over and the Patriots can once again focus on their Week 1 matchup with the Raiders, they returned to the practice fields on Thursday to prepare, alongside some of their newest teammates. The start of the regular season is just one week away, with the Patriots set to host their Week 1 opener on September 7, so practice attendance is crucial at this point.
That's what made the ongoing absence of cornerback Christian Gonzalez even more alarming, as reporters claimed he was still sidelined nearly a month after first dealing with an injury in practice.
Final #Patriots practice of the week, as the team will have Friday-Sunday off.
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) August 28, 2025
Not participating: Christian Gonzalez (here in street clothes) and Anfernee Jennings. pic.twitter.com/NjLLejPC14
It's a concerning update, given the season is right around the corner, prompting fans to worry about what this could mean for his availability in Week 1. We likely won't know much more about his status between now and then.
The Patriots' defense would be in big trouble if they're down Christian Gonzalez in Week 1
Throughout the offseason, but especially during training camp, it's not unheard of for teams to be extra cautious with their superstar players, which includes someone like Gonzalez. It's becoming far too common to see big-name players go down with season-ending injuries in the preseason, and the Patriots want to avoid that fate at all costs.
They didn't escape that this year, however, but were fortunate in that those who will be out of the season are not among their best players. The hope is that includes Gonzalez, as he's been sidelined for several weeks now, leading many to assume the coaching staff is just going above and beyond to ensure he's ready to go when the season starts.
Considering how important he is to the defense and the overall success of the team, it's fair to assume he's been bubble-wrapped and kept off the practice field to avoid any further injuries or complications.
He looked good throughout the entire offseason during practice, dominating in drills that made it clear he will continue his rise to superstardom this fall. So, missing more practices isn't as concerning as it might be with someone else.
At this point, there is probably no need for major concerns regarding Gonzalez's injury, and we'll likely see him on the field ready to shut down the Raiders' receivers with ease.