FOXBORO — Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez was present for the start of Wednesday’s practice in a non-contact jersey and participated in initial drills, indicating he is already in the fourth phase of the NFL’s five-phase concussion protocol.
With two practices and four days left before Sunday’s divisional-round playoff game against Houston, Gonzalez needs only to be cleared for full practice participation before he can then be cleared for game action. Gonzalez was diagnosed with a concussion in the second half of last Sunday’s Wild Card playoff win over the Chargers.
His return would significantly boost a Patriots defense preparing for a Texans offense that may be without No. 1 receiver Nico Collins, who sustained his own concussion last Monday versus Pittsburgh.
Defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga returned to practice for the first time since hurting his foot at Baltimore on Dec. 21. He returned next to injured backup running back Terrell Jennings, whose 21-day window has been opened for a potential activation off injured reserve later this year. Relatedly, the Pats released running back D’Ernest Johnson from their active roster earlier this week and re-signed him to the practice squad.
Patriots right tackle Morgan Moses, tight end Hunter Henry, outside linebacker Anfernee Jennings and backup offensive lineman Thayer Munford Jr. were all absent for the start of practice. Moses and Henry received veteran rest days last Wednesday before participating in both practices later in the week.
Gonzalez was named to his first Pro Bowl this season after being named a second-team All-Pro last year. He missed the first three weeks of the season with a hamstring injury but has started every game since, registering 69 tackles, 10 pass breakups and one tackle for loss.
Playing opposite fellow starting cornerback Carlton Davis, Gonzalez allowed 35 catches on 80 targets for 357 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions this season, including Sunday’s wild-card round win over the Chargers.
Gonzalez was one of the Patriots’ best players in that game, holding Chargers receivers catchless on four targets with two pass breakups. It was the second consecutive game and the third this season that Gonzalez did not allow a reception.
“Gonzo continues to play at a high level,” head coach Mike Vrabel said Monday. Those are the expectations that he has for himself and that we have for him. … We appreciate what he’s done and his willingness to line up different places. It’s not quite as easy as — we’ve been through this, but different coverages, locations, motions and things like that. So, he’s handled that all really well. Hopefully, we’ll get him back.”
Gonzalez, Davis and Marcus Jones, who primarily plays in the slot, are the Patriots’ starting cornerbacks. The team also has Charles Woods and Kobee Minor to serve as depth on the 53-man roster. Alex Austin, who continued to practice Wednesday, is eligible to be activated from injured reserve. Miles Battle also provides depth on the practice squad.
If Gonzalez were to shadow anyone on the Texans in coverage, it would be Collins, who wasn’t spotted at the beginning of Wednesday’s practice. The Texans are deep at wide receiver with rookies Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel and veterans Christian Kirk and Xavier Hutchinson ready to take on bigger roles. Collins is clearly the Texans’ best pass catcher, however, with three consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons.
The Patriots currently have an open spot on their 53-man roster, which could be filled by Terrell Jennings or Austin. The team currently has just two running backs on their 53-man roster, after releasing Johnson, in Rhamondre Stevenson and rookie TreVeyon Henderson. They’ve gone into every game this season with three active running backs. If Jennings is not activated from IR, then the Patriots could elevate Johnson from the practice squad for Sunday’s game against the Texans.
The Patriots can elevate up to two players from the practice squad. They can elevate players in the playoffs an unlimited number of times.
They elevated defensive tackle Leonard Taylor III and wide receiver Jeremiah Webb last week. Webb wound up being inactive, however, since Kayshon Boutte, who was questionable with a hamstring injury, suited up and played. The Patriots might not need Taylor this week if Tonga returns to action. Taylor has been effective, however, so the team could still elect to elevate him and play him over rookie Eric Gregory.
The Patriots will release their first injury report of the week Wednesday evening.