Big news, or maybe not-so-big if you’ve been watching, out of Foxborough: star cornerback Christian Gonzalez is still on the sidelines! This Tuesday walkthrough was supposed to be a dialed-down session, just jerseys and sneakers, focusing on the mental game for the Patriots. But even in that lighter setting, the list of absent players was long, and Gonzalez’s name at the top is the one that screams the loudest heading into the season.
Where’s Our Guy? The Injury Report Is Stacking Up
Yeah, the vibe out there behind Gillette Stadium was chill, high 70s and sunny, 80 minutes of mental reps. But let’s be real, you can’t ignore the guys who aren’t even out there. Christian Gonzalez remains out, headlining a “usual group” of sidelined players. We’re talking OLB Xavier Holmes, LB Chad Muma, OL Ben Brown, and WR Kyle Dixon all missing. Plus, ED Harold Landry III and S Brenden Schooler are still on the PUP/NFI lists. Coach Mike Vrabel tried to keep it calm on Monday, saying Gonzalez “is just in the return to play” and that they’ll “continue to work through that, and he’ll continue to try to improve and try to get back out on the field.” It sounds like a waiting game, and for a team needing all its pieces, that’s not exactly reassuring this early in the year. At least wide receiver Kobe Prentice returned to the field, and OLB Jesse Luketa was present after leaving early Monday. Small victories, I guess?
New Faces, New Roles, And A Much-Needed Guard Signing
Even with the injury concerns, some stuff did stand out on the field. Efton Chism III is definitely making moves, still running with the first-team offense. And get this: he’s been working as a personal protector for the first time in the last two practices. That’s a new wrinkle! In the backfield, it looks like Hassan Haskins and JaMycal Hasty are stepping up as the top options behind Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson. On defense, rookie pass rushers Gabe Jacas and Quintayvious Hutchins are pushing for serious reps, continuing to work with the first-team behind Dre’Mont Jones and Elijah Ponder. Oh, and shoutout to Julian Edelman, who was just chilling in attendance. Always good to see a legend around.
But let’s talk about the trenches, specifically the offensive line. Injuries hit hard, with top interior backups Ben Brown and Andrew Rupcich both going down in the preseason opener. So, the Patriots reportedly went out and signed veteran guard Greg Van Roten this week! He wasn’t at Tuesday’s walkthrough, but this dude has connections all over the place. He played for Josh McDaniels in Vegas, worked with Eliot Wolf and Ryan Cowden, and was even with Morgan Moses and Alijah Vera-Tucker on the Jets. Vera-Tucker called him a “very smart player.” Sounds like a smart move to bring in some veteran stability when you desperately need it.
So, what’s next for the squad? They’re back on the practice fields Wednesday, and guess who’s rolling into town? The Philadelphia Eagles, for a pair of joint practices. That first session kicks off at 10:15 a.m. ET, and Vrabel is set to speak beforehand. With so many guys sidelined and new ones stepping up, these joint practices are gonna be HUGE to see who’s ready to really go. It’s time to show what this team is made of, because the season is officially here.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pats Pulpit.
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