The New England Patriots will be playing without both of their top starting cornerbacks in Sunday's game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
When speaking with reporters on Friday, Patriots coach Mike Vrabel ruled out Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis III for the game. He also ruled out reserve cornerback option Channing Canada in Week 5.
So the Patriots will be dangerously thin in the defensive backfield.
Gonzalez also missed last week's game against the Buffalo Bills with a shoulder injury. When asked if he was concerned that the injury could be long-term, Vrabel sidestepped the question.
"He's out Sunday. That's potentially the only thing I can tell you," said Vrabel, via Patriots Wire's Sophie Weller.
Mike Vrabel on if Christian Gonzalez's injury
could be longterm: "He's out Sunday. That's potentially the only thing I can tell you."
— Sophie Weller (@sophieewellerr) October 9, 2026
The Patriots will have to depend on Marcus Jones, Charles Woods and Karon Prunty, among others, to step up against a Raiders offense that has overachieved so far this season.
It's a daunting challenge at a time when the Patriots could go over .500 win percentage and take a lead in the AFC East dvision, if the Buffalo Bills lose to the Los Angeles Rams this week.
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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Nightmare scenario comes true for Patriots with latest injury news
