Patriots Star Cornerback Provides Shoulder Injury Update…
FOXBORO, Mass. — After being selected No. 17 overall by the New England Patriots in the 2023 NFL Draft, then-rookie cornerback Christian Gonzalez was off to a stellar start to his pro career.
Unfortunately, his season was cut short after jamming his shoulder in a tackle attempt during the Pats’ Week 4 matchup with the Dallas Cowboys in October. Gonzalez was confirmed to have suffered a torn shoulder labrum, which he repaired by undergoing offseason surgery.
Approximately seven months after incurring his season-ending injury, Gonzalez is back on the field and eager to put the past behind him.
“I’m healthy … Excited to go,” Gonzalez told reporters on Tuesday at Gillette Stadium. “That [shoulder injury] is in the past. I’m ready for right now and happy to be back in the building and around the guys and have fun.”
In the first three weeks of his rookie campaign, Gonzalez more than held his own against a gauntlet of elite receivers — establishing himself as the Pats undisputed top cornerback.
Matching up against Philadelphia Eagles wideout A.J. Brown, Miami Dolphins speedster Tyreek Hill and Jets alpha pass-catcher Garrett Wilson (among others,) the Carrollton, Texas native allowed only ten catches for 102 yards on the 74 routes for which he provided coverage.
The Pats corner also logged an interception, a corner-blitz sack of Eagles’ quarterback Jalen Hurts, and three pass breakups last season. In total, he allowed opposing receivers to get “open” on just 23.1% of their routes.
