Christian Gonzalez’s status is the biggest Patriots question heading into Sunday’s trip to Buffalo, and right now it looks shaky.
New England went into Thursday with an injury report that carried 11 names, and Gonzalez was one of four players who did not practice. The cornerback was joined on the sideline by defensive lineman Christian Barmore (shoulder), offensive tackle Morgan Moses (foot), and fullback Reggie Gilliam.
That’s a rough setup for a team already staring at a tough Week 4 road test against Josh Allen and the Bills. Gonzalez has been the Patriots’ top player through the first three weeks, so losing him would be a major hit.
His absence for a second straight practice is especially notable after he appeared to hurt himself in the first quarter of Sunday’s 35-6 loss to the Jaguars while tackling LeQuint Allen Jr. The training staff checked him on the sideline, but he stayed in the game.
If Gonzalez is able to play, he would be the obvious candidate to handle some of Allen’s top targets at Highmark Stadium. He opened the season by helping shut down receivers like Jaxon Smith-Njigba and DK Metcalf.
If he can’t suit up, the Patriots would have to reshape their cornerback group. Carlton Davis would likely move into the top role, with Marcus Jones and Charles Woods in line for more snaps.
“We’ve got guys in those roles [who] have stepped up and they played, and they [had] played in big roles, they’ve played in smaller roles, but they played in NFL games,” cornerbacks coach Justin Hamilton said of New England’s depth. “You put them in there, and you try to prepare them.
“Just like we tell them every week. Prepare like starters, and then they get their opportunity to go, make the most of it.”
Barmore’s status matters just as much on the other side of the ball. If he’s out, that would be a serious setback for a Patriots defense trying to slow Buffalo’s physical run game and James Cook.
Moses also remains a question after leaving Sunday’s loss in Jacksonville in the second half. Rookie Caleb Lomu took over at right tackle, and he could be in line for his first NFL start if Moses isn’t cleared by Sunday.
The Patriots also listed Drake Maye on the injury report again with a right shoulder issue, though he was a full participant in Thursday’s practice. Maye had already tried to downplay the concern on Wednesday, and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels said Thursday that the team hasn’t changed its approach around the quarterback’s shoulder.
McDaniels said Maye picked up the injury against Jacksonville while running the ball.
“I believe he got dinged last week,” McDaniels said. “We haven’t had a big meeting and talked about specifically, like exactly this and that or the other happened. He ran the ball a few times last week, and I think that’s what happened.”
Maye’s play has been under the microscope, too, after three weeks in which he has thrown one touchdown and six interceptions. Even so, McDaniels said the Patriots are not adjusting their plan because of the shoulder.
“He’s always been a guy that can run and do things with his legs and all that,” McDaniels said. “He’s taken a few hits since he’s been in the National Football League. You know, that’s kind of part of the process when you when you can make things happen with your legs, you know, you’re going to incur some hits.
“They would obviously tell me, obviously, if there was something that we felt like we couldn’t do or he couldn’t do. That has not been the case.
I know he’s a tough kid. I know that for sure.
Doesn’t make a big deal out of much. And so, business as usual for us.”
The rest of New England’s injury report included edge rusher Dre’Mont Jones (shoulder), linebacker Christian Elliss (chest), tight end Eli Raridon (thigh), safety Brenden Schooler (back), cornerback Channing Canada, and safety Craig Woodson (shoulder), all of whom were limited.
In Other News...
Tom Brady And Julian Edelman Just Had Fun With Mike Tomlin
Mike Tomlins latest off-field reveal has turned into an unexpected source of amusement for some familiar Patriots voices. The former Steelers coach, now an NBC broadcaster, posted a 20-minute YouTube video showing off a long-running Minecraft project, one he said he had been building for 12 years as an intricate city. The clip spread quickly on social media, and it did not take long for Julian Edelman and Tom Brady to chime in with the kind of lighthearted teasing that tends to follow anything involving Tomlin and the Patriots.
For New England fans, the jokes land because the rivalry history is baked in. Brady and Edelman have both had plenty of success against Tomlins Steelers in the postseason, including that memorable 2017 AFC Championship Game win, and the back-and-forth added another small chapter to a familiar matchup. Tomlins football rsum against those two still matters, but the reaction to his Minecraft obsession showed that even after all these years, the old Patriots-Steelers edge is alive and well. [Read more 🡒]
Patriots Backlash Is Getting Ugly As Drake Maye Frustration Grows
The Patriots have spent the first few weeks of the 2026 season dealing with more noise than they probably wanted, and the 1-2 start has only made it louder. Mike Vrabels offseason controversy with former reporter Dianna Russini already stirred up plenty of attention after photos of the two led to her resignation from The Athletic, following an internal investigation that found a violation of newsroom standards.
Now the frustration is spilling over onto the field, with sports analyst Bill Simmons relaying his fathers harsh view that the offseason drama has helped drag the team down. He also expressed disappointment in Drake Mayes play, adding another layer to a start that has left the Patriots trying to quiet both the backlash and the growing unease around their young quarterback. [Read more 🡒]
Drake Maye Brings A Bigger Worry Into Patriots Bills Week
Drake Mayes first three weeks of the 2026 season have given the Patriots plenty to sort through before Bills week. The quarterback has already thrown six interceptions and lost a fumble, and while the team has listed him on the injury report with a shoulder issue, he took part in full practice and has denied that an injury is behind the rough start.
For New England, the bigger concern may be what is driving the turnovers if it is not physical. The noise around Maye has centered on confidence, protection up front and inconsistent play from the receivers, which leaves the Patriots trying to determine whether this is a temporary stretch or something more stubborn as they head into a divisional test that will demand cleaner football. [Read more 🡒]