The New England Patriots could get back superstar cornerback Christian Gonzalez against the Pittsburgh Steelers this weekend.
Gonzalez had been sidelined since July 28 with a hamstring injury. However, head coach Mike Vrabel said he would return to practice on Wednesday and ‘do some stuff. Talking with Patriots reporters after practice, Gonzalez would not say for sure if he would be back Sunday, but said he felt good.
“It’s been very challenging to be out for so long. But I’m focused on the here and now,” Gonzalez said, via MassLive. “I’m not really too worried about the injury. I’m not going to answer any questions on that, we’re just focused on Steelers.”
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.
“It’s been tough having to watch, but I’m excited to get out there and run around and get back to playing ball,” Gonzalez said.
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.