Christian Gonzalez will not be the only New England Patriots cornerback missing the season opener against the Las Vegas Raiders. As the team announced on Saturday, Charles Woods also has been ruled out for the Week 1 contest.
The recent waiver wire pickup was previously listed a questionable on the final injury report on Friday because of a groin ailment.
An undrafted free agent out of SMU in 2024, Woods started his NFL
career with the Los Angeles Rams. Even though he saw action in 12 contests as a rookie, primarily in the kicking game, he was unable to make the team’s roster out of his sophomore training camp. The 25-year-old was placed on waivers before the late August roster deadline, allowing the Patriots to pick him up.
One of two players join the club via waivers — the other being third-string quarterback Tommy DeVito — Woods was became the sixth cornerback on New England’s roster. Besides him, the team also has the aforementioned Christian Gonzalez as well as Carlton Davis, Marcus Jones, Alex Austin and D.J. James signed to the 53-man team.
With Gonzalez and Woods both ruled out against Las Vegas, the Patriots opted to elevate fellow CB Corey Ballentine from the practice squad to the game day roster among a series of moves on Saturday.
New England’s season opener at Gillette Stadium will kick off at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday.
