New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez could return against the Pittsburgh Steelers after missing the team’s first two games with a hamstring injury.
When asked on Monday if there was a chance that Gonzalez could return, Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel left the door open without ruling out the superstar.
“There’s a chance,” Vrabel said on WEEI on Monday.
The injury first occurred all the way back at the end of July, and has taken Gonzalez a lengthy amount of time to shake off. He is coming off an elite season where he was one of the best cornerbacks in football and selected as a Second-Team All-Pro.
That career season vaulted Gonzalez into superstardom, and in 16 games a season ago he had 11 pass deflections and two interceptions while allowing the third-lowest passer rating when targeted in the entire NFL.
Without Gonzalez, that would be an ideal environment for the Steelers to try and get DK Metcalf going against the other Patriots cornerbacks.
Yet, if he is back, it will tough sledding for Metcalf, and the Steelers will have to find ways to feed him the ball despite Gonzalez’s talent.