On Thursday, Gonzalez participated in initial stretching and the start of an individual drill, then left the main practice field during media access and did not return in the window the media was allowed to watch.
“He’s on a plan with [coach Mike Vrabel] and [director of sports performance Frank Piraino] with [head trainer] Jim [Whalen] in the training room,” cornerbacks coach Justin Hamilton said after practice. “It’s kind of a warm-up to the early portion of practice just to do more. Because some of the stuff is special teams, or different things where it’s like a jog-through, walkthrough, and it’s for him just to get to the pace where he can go at to be able to get there when we are in the speed periods of practice.”
Gonzalez was one of five players who were limited on Thursday, a group that also included linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson (knee), defensive tackle Joshua Farmer (ankle), linebacker Marte Mapu (neck/hamstring), and defensive tackle Milton Williams (ankle).
Safety Jaylinn Hawkins (knee), defensive end Keion White (elbow), running back Antonio Gibson (knee), and linebacker Anfernee Jennings (ankle) were listed as DNPs.
The Patriots have struggled to run the ball consistently, ranking 27th in rushing yards per game, 28th in yards per rushing attempt, 19th in rushing attempts, and 18th in rushing-play percentage.
The Patriots have just 12 rushing plays of 10 yards or more (25th in the NFL), three of which have been by quarterback Drake Maye. That’s not to mention the fumbles from Rhamondre Stevenson.
So, how can they get it fixed?
“I don’t think there’s any short cut to that,” offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels said. “I know it’s not for lack of effort on anybody’s part. I think you’ve just got to keep working at it. That sometimes is a little bit of a process that comes behind the passing game at times. Patience is important in that regard, not abandoning things and looking for one answer here or there.
“We’ve got to stick with our details, our techniques and fundamentals. Continue to get better at them and then finish. I think we’ve seen some really good examples of us finishing blocks. If you get a few more of those on a certain play here or there, it changes the outcome of the perception of what you’re doing in the running game, so just stay patient with it.”
“Just trust ourselves. Just us and the O-line, getting on the same page, same track, things like that,” said Stevenson. “I don’t think we’re far away, though.”
One sizable challenge is being without Gibson, who went down with a season-ending knee injury against the Bills.
“It’s going to be tough without him, but we’re going to try to put on good performances for him,” Stevenson said. “He was a big part of what we did. So, [we’ve] all got to step up.”
For Sunday’s opponents, the Saints, cornerback Isaac Yiadom (hamstring) and defensive tackle Davon Godchaux (not injury related) didn’t practice on Thursday . . . Louisiana native Will Campbell is excited to return to his home state for Sunday’s game. “I grew up going to watch state championships [at the Superdome] whenever my high school team was going and I was a little kid. My first college game was in the Superdome. So, I’ve had some cool experiences,” he said. “To be able to go back and play an NFL game there, it’ll be pretty cool.”