Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis injuries put unheralded Patriots corners in spotlight
FOXBORO — When the Patriots sent out their top defense for the opening rep of team drills Tuesday morning, both of their projected starting cornerbacks were MIA.
Key offseason pickup Carlton Davis has been dealing with an undisclosed injury since the start of training camp. Second-team All-Pro Christian Gonzalez suffered an apparent leg injury during Monday’s practice and limped off the field. Neither was in uniform for Tuesday’s sweltering full-pads session.
In their absence, some of New England’s less heralded corners saw more prominent 11-on-11 reps, with two in particular seeing the largest role increases.
One of those was third-year pro Alex Austin, who became the Patriots’ top outside cornerback option with Gonzalez and Davis sidelined. Austin has been with the Patriots since late in the 2023 season. He appeared in nine games in 2024, including three starts, totaling 234 defensive snaps and five pass breakups.
The primary focus of Tuesday’s practice was red-zone work, and the 6-foot-1, 191-pound Austin was in coverage on a pair of Drake Maye touchdown passes — one to rookie Kyle Williams and another to Kayson Boutte.
“It’s a physical game we play, so all it means is just next man up,” Austin said after practice. “You’ve got to be ready to step into that role, and the standard is the standard. So keep a hold of the standard and play ball.”
Austin said the injuries above him on the depth chart didn’t alter his approach to practice.
“I try to come in the building and prepare myself every day for game week,” the 24-year-old said. “Just get ready out here, have fun with the guys, build, have fun competing and just get ready for these games coming up this year.”
Second-year pro and early camp standout D.J. James also saw an uptick in reps with the defensive regulars. James rotated in for Marcus Jones, who’s split time between his usual slot role and outside corner with Gonzalez and Davis unavailable.
James has yet to appear in a regular-season NFL game, but he’s been with the Patriots since last September, spending nearly all of his rookie season on New England’s practice squad. Listed at 6 feet, 184 pounds, the undrafted Auburn product has been a surprise ball hawk this summer, notching a pass breakup or interception in nearly every training camp practice to date.
During Tuesday’s practice — the Patriots’ sixth of camp and second in full pads — James broke up a sideline pass to Javon Baker from backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs. He’s been one of the biggest risers of camp and will be a player to watch when New England welcomes the Washington Commanders to Foxboro next week for a joint practice and a preseason game.
It’s unclear whether Gonzalez or Davis will return in time to participate in those higher-intensity days, but the former did make an appearance late in Tuesday’s practice. Gonzalez wore a sleeve on his left leg — which he appeared to tweak while covering Stefon Diggs on an 11-on-11 rep a day earlier — and signed autographs for fans as players headed toward the locker room.
Marcellas Dial, Miles Battle, Isaiah Bolden, Kobee Minor, Brandon Crossley and Jordan Polk round out the group of Patriots corners fighting for roster spots. New England will likely carry five or six into the regular season.
from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/p6xJ4U2
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