Christian Gonzalez leaves Patriots practice with apparent ankle injury

New England Patriots rookie cornerback Christian Gonzalez came up limping during the team’s final practice of the 2023 preseason.

Per Zack Cox of NESN, Gonzalez landed awkwardly late in Wednesday’s practice after allowing a completion to receiver Thyrick Pitts. Gonzalez hopped over to the sideline to receive treatment from the Patriots’ medical staff. Trainers appeared to be examining Gonzalez’s left ankle or foot, and he slowly walked over to the post-practice huddle as practice came to an end. The severity of the injury is currently uncertain.

Gonzalez, the 17th overall selection in April’s NFL Draft out of Oregon, is expected to play a significant role in the Patriots’ defense this season. The 21-year-old has been working with the first-string defense in training camp, and is expected to be a starter in the secondary for the Week 1 matchup against the reigning NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 10.

“I’m blessed to be here,” Gonzalez said Tuesday, via Pats Pulpit. “To be able to wake up and play football, that’s really what I’m proud of. I dreamed of it since I was a little kid and it’s here and it’s happening. Just living in the moment, staying in the moment, and trying to get better.”

Christian Gonzalez expected to play significant role during rookie season

New England’s schedule offers plenty of challenges for Gonzalez, especially right out of the gate. Week 1 will see Gonzalez matched up with A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. Week 2 against the Miami Dolphins brings Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle into the mix, while Week 3 against the New York Jets brings along Garrett Wilson.

While there will inevitably be some ups and downs during his rookie campaign, Gonzalez knows that having the ability to move on quickly will be paramount to his success.

“All this position is you’ve got to move on, you can’t just dwell on one play. You make a play, move on. You miss a play, move on,” Gonzalez said. That’s just kind of how the position is and if you give up a play or you make a play you move on and learn from it, what you did or what you didn’t do in the classroom.”