Patriots star CB Gonzalez 'ready to go' after missing past two games

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  Mike ReissOct 14, 2026, 01:53 PM ET

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  Mike Reiss is an NFL reporter at ESPN and covers the New England Patriots. Reiss has covered the Patriots since 1997 and joined ESPN in 2009. In 2019, he was named Massachusetts Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sports Media Association.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- New England Patriots Pro Bowl cornerback Christian Gonzalez, who has missed the last two games due to a shoulder injury, said he will return for Sunday's home game against the New York Jets.

"I'm good now, ready for Sunday," Gonzalez told reporters Wednesday.

Gonzalez injured his shoulder in the team's Week 3 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars and initially thought he was OK after the game. He explained Wednesday what unfolded in the days following the game.

"At that point, you got a lot of adrenaline. Adrenaline covers a lot of things in this sport," he said. "At that time, I felt good. Things happen, so it is what it is and I'm ready for this week.

"... I've been itching, kind of going a little crazy when I'm not getting to play. It's hard. You put in work with all these guys and then you don't get to be out there with them.

Gonzalez watched the Patriots' 45-17 win over the Las Vegas Raiders this past Sunday from the sideline, saying it was important to him to be there for his teammates.

In addition to Gonzalez's return, receiver A.J. Brown is returning to practice for the first time since being placed on injured reserve Sept. 12, according to coach Mike Vrabel. This is the first day Brown is eligible to return and Vrabel said he would "see how that goes" before determining if Brown plays Sunday.

Players were buoyed by news of Brown's return to practice.

"Huge boost. He's a receiver one," veteran safety Kevin Byard said. "Obviously the past couple weeks our pass game has been playing really well so he adds another dynamic to that."

In addition, second-year offensive lineman Marcus Bryant, who had been rolled up on in the preseason and was placed on injured reserve with a designation to return at the final roster cutdown, will also practice Wednesday. His return could help soften the blow from the Patriots likely being without starting left tackle Will Campbell, who was diagnosed with a sprained right MCL, a source told NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe.