New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez, fresh off a record‑setting contract extension, suffered a shoulder injury during the team’s Week 3 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. The injury kept him out of practice for three consecutive sessions and on the injury report for the following game.
What happened on the field
During the Jaguars’ second drive, Gonzalez tackled running back LeQuint Allen Jr. and stayed down briefly, clutching his left arm. He returned to the sideline with his arm fully extended and received attention from the medical staff.
Despite the early scare, Gonzalez played the remainder of the game, lining up in Cover 3 and making a second‑quarter tackle on Jakobi Meyers. He appeared to continue without obvious pain, even delivering a shoestring tackle later in the third quarter.
Subsequent play and removal
Late in the fourth quarter, Jaguars tackle Anton Harrison delivered a hard hit to Gonzalez’s right shoulder, knocking him to the ground. Gonzalez got back up and finished the drive, but the Patriots substituted him with Charles Woods for the goal‑line series.
After the game, Gonzalez told reporters, “I’m good,” but he did not attend the team’s practice three days later. He was listed as a non‑participant for all three practice sessions that week and was placed on the Friday injury report ahead of the Buffalo game.
Coach’s outlook
Head coach Mike Vrabel said on Friday, “He’s out Sunday. That’s potentially the only thing I can really tell you,” indicating the injury could keep Gonzalez out for the upcoming matchup and possibly longer.
The Patriots have not disclosed whether the injury will require placement on injured reserve, leaving the duration of his absence uncertain.
Original reporting: NBC10 Boston — read the source article.
