Overview
- Gonzalez took a hard fall contesting a jump ball in Monday practice and then missed Tuesday’s joint session with the Colts and the preseason opener while recovering.
- Vrabel told reporters that Gonzalez was “physically unavailable” and is following a treatment and conditioning plan, and the coach said Gonzalez should play in Week 1 if he is healthy.
- The player and the Patriots continue negotiating a long-term extension with no deal reached so far, and both sides say they remain on the same page about his recovery and professionalism.
- Seattle’s Devon Witherspoon agreed to a four-year, $132 million extension that creates a new $33 million-per-year benchmark Gonzalez’s camp is expected to seek, while New England has exercised Gonzalez’s fifth-year option to retain control through 2027.
- Gonzalez’s absence forces the Patriots to manage short-term depth and practice reps in the secondary, gives backups like Kindle Vildor more on-field work, and leaves contract timing tied to medical updates the team will monitor closely.