The New England Patriots could be without their top cornerback on Sunday.
Christian Gonzalez missed practice for the second straight day Thursday because of a shoulder injury, putting his availability for the Patriots' AFC East matchup against the Buffalo Bills in question..
Gonzalez was one of four Patriots who did not practice Thursday. Defensive tackle Christian Barmore (shoulder), offensive tackle Morgan Moses (foot) and fullback Reggie Gilliam (knee) were also sidelined.
The Bills host the Patriots at 1 p.m. Sunday at new Highmark Stadium.
Gonzalez injured his shoulder during New England's 35-6 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars last Sunday. He had the shoulder checked on the sideline after making a tackle in the first quarter but remained in the game
and played 52 of New England's 59 defensive snaps.
He hasn't practiced since.
Gonzalez is New England's top cornerback and had eight tackles and five passes defensed through the first three games. He was named second-team All-Pro in 2024 and made his first Pro Bowl in 2025.
If Gonzalez can't play Sunday, Carlton Davis would likely take on a larger role, with Marcus Jones and Charles Woods among other options in the secondary.
Barmore and Moses also missed practice for the second consecutive day. Barmore returned to last week's game after hurting his shoulder and has one sack and a forced fumble this season.
Moses entered the Jacksonville game already dealing with a foot injury and left in the third quarter. Rookie first-round pick Caleb Lomu replaced him at right tackle.
Gilliam was added to the list of non-participants Thursday after being limited Wednesday with a knee injury. The former Bills fullback spent six seasons in Buffalo before signing with New England as a free agent this offseason.
Quarterback Drake Maye is also listed with an injury to his throwing shoulder, but he was a full participant in practice Wednesday and Thursday.
For the Bills, starting cornerback Christian Benford missed practice for the second consecutive day because of a toe injury. Wide receivers D.J. Moore (shoulder) and Keon Coleman (ankle), defensive tackle T.J. Sanders (illness), linebacker Joe Andreessen (knee) and safety Damar Hamlin (ribs) were limited Thursday.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Patriots could be without top cornerback against Josh Allen and Bills
