On Tuesday, the New England Patriots waived cornerback D.J. James. On its own, it’s not a noteworthy move. James is a second-year player who was drafted in the sixth round by the Seattle Seahawks in 2024. After being waived by Seattle, he spent his rookie season on New England’s practice squad. He flashed some promise in training camp this year and made the 53-man roster, but he could be headed back to the practice squad if he clears waivers.
However, the Patriots’ decision to waive him could be a sign of a bigger development. The move could mean that promising cornerback Christian Gonzalez is on track to return from injury this week.
The #Patriots are waiving CB D.J. James today, per his agents Joe DiBenedetto and Andy Simms.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 9, 2025
A sixth-round pick by Seattle last year, James spent most of his rookie season with New England and was a training camp star this summer. Now, he’s headed to waivers.
Christian Gonzalez could be nearing a return after Patriots waive corner D.J. James
Gonzalez, a third-year defensive back, is already one of the best corners in the league. Unfortunately, his debut this year has been delayed because of a hamstring injury he sustained in the second week of training camp. The corner has been working his way back, but he wasn’t ready for Week 1, and missed New England’s season opener against the Las Vegas Raiders.
It still remains unclear if he’ll be ready to travel to Miami with the team and return to his starting spot against the Dolphins, but the fact that the Patriots were comfortable moving a depth corner could be a good sign for the veteran cornerback.
Fans and media members will surely be locked in on Gonzalez’s name on the injury report throughout the week. If the corner returns to practice, and logs a couple of full practices, he’ll likely be on the field on Sunday when New England plays its first AFC East game. Like the Patriots, the Dolphins are coming off a loss, so both teams will be looking for win number one. A healthy Christian Gonzalez would certainly help New England get in the win column.