It looks like the Patriots defense will take another long-term hit due to injury
New England Patriots rookie cornerback Christian Gonzalez left Sunday’s 38-3 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday early with a shoulder injury. According to the first reported update on his condition on Monday, it could be a bit longer until fans see him on the field again.
According to Jeff Howe of The Athletic, Gonzalez dislocated his shoulder while trying to tackle Cowboys running back Tony Pollard in the first quarter of Sunday’s game. Howe shared that Gonzalez is undergoing further tests to determine the severity of the injury, but he “is expected to miss some time.”
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Losing Gonzalez for any amount of time would be a major blow to the Patriots’ secondary. The team is already without cornerbacks Jack Jones and Marcus Jones, who are on IR, while veteran Jonathan Jones remains on the active roster but hasn’t played in three weeks. Jack Jones is eligible to return from IR starting this week, but is expected to miss more time.
Plus, the injury disrupts what has been a very promising rookie year for the 17th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Gonzalez showed promise against elite wide receivers in the Patriots’ first three games, and just last week was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month for September.
The Patriots now have just two healthy true cornerbacks on their roster in Myles Bryant and Shaun Wade. Jalen Mills, who previously played cornerback but converted to safety prior to this season, returned to his old position after Gonzalez got hurt on Sunday. Rookie Ameer Speed played cornerback in college, but has played exclusively special teams to this point in the season. There are also two cornerbacks on the Patriots’ practice squad – Azizi Hearn and Breon Borders – who both signed with the team two weeks ago.
Gonzalez isn’t the only key defensive player the Patriots lost on Sunday. Linebacker Matthew Judon is expected to miss time with an elbow injury he suffered in the fourth quarter.
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Patriots have five players eligible to return from IR or PUP this week
WR Tyquan Thornton (IR)
Aug 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Tyquan Thornton (11) during the first half against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
The Patriots’ second-round pick in last year’s draft, Thornton suffered an undisclosed shoulder injury during joint practices with the Green Bay Packers in August. This is the second year in a row he’s missed the start of the season on IR.
Initial reporting following Thornton’s injury suggested he was “not anticipated being out for long.” In an offense that’s lacking explosiveness right now, his speed could be helpful if he gets back in the wide receiver rotation.
OL Riley Reiff (IR)
Foxborough, MA: New England Patriots offensive tackle Riley Reiff (74) works with a weight bag during 2023 training camp. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
Reiff was the Patriots’ biggest offensive line addition this offseason, but struggled at right tackle early in training camp. A few weeks in he kicked inside to right guard, where things looked a lot better before he injured his knee in the preseason finale.
There hasn’t been much reported on Reiff’s status, or his timeframe to return. If he is healthy though, the Patriots certainly could use offensive line help right now, both at tackle and guard.
CB Jack Jones (IR)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 24: Jack Jones #13 of the New England Patriots reacts after a tackle during the first quarter against the Chicago Bears at Gillette Stadium on October 24, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
With Christian Gonzalez injuring his shoulder on Sunday, the Patriots’ cornerback depth is now razor thin. Jonathan Jones has missed the last three games, with Jack Jones and Marcus Jones still on IR (Marcus Jones isn’t eligible to return until next week, but is expected to miss more time).
Jack Jones returning certainly would be a huge boost to the secondary right now, but it might not be in the cards. ESPN’s Mike Reiss wrote on Sunday that “some around the team were targeting midseason as a more likely timetable” for Jones to return. Jones is dealing with a hamstring injury that he suffered in practice leading up to Week 1.
DL Trey Flowers (PUP)
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 18: Trey Flowers #90 of the Detroit Lions lines up during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on October 18, 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
The Patriots signed Flowers in early August, and almost immediately put him on PUP with an undisclosed injury. Still, Flowers has been around the team, including being present at (but not participating in) a handful of practices throughout the summer.
It’s tough to tell where Flowers stands in terms of being ready to play. However, with Matthew Judon now expected to miss time, depth on the defensive line certainly is a need for the Patriots.
ST Cody Davis (PUP)
Aug 12, 2021; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Cody Davis (22) at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
Davis is still recovering from a significant knee injury he suffered last October. While Davis remains around the team, there hasn’t been any reporting to suggest a return is close.
