FOXBOROUGH, Mass — The New England Patriots wrapped up the week on Friday with one final practice, providing reporters with a clear look at how the injuries are stacking up and who will likely be sidelined for Sunday's game against the Raiders.
So, without further ado, here's what I'm hearing (friday's version):
Practice Attendance & Injury Updates
Following practice, where CB Christian Gonzalez (shoulder), CB Carlton Davis (neck), BC Karon Prunty (hamstring), CB Channing Canada (hamstring), and WR Mack Hollins (calf) weren't spotted, head coach Mike Vrabel immediately ruled them out.
And with that, it means the team's cornerback depth is low and will certainly be tested.
“Put the next guy in there, elevate who’s ever available and all we got on the roster,” Vrabel said when asked
about the cornerback position.
Gonzalez has been sidelined for two weeks, having missed six straight practices after suffering a shoulder injury against the Jacksonville Jaguars. As for Davis, he has been dealing with a neck injury. Charles Woods, who is likely to start with Gonzalez and Davis out, is also listed as questionable, having been limited in practice all week with a shoulder injury.
That leaves Marcus Jones, Kindle Vildor (practice squad), and Al’zillion Hamilton (practice squad) as the three healthy cornerbacks.
Kindle Vildor Ready For Elevated Role
Veteran cornerback Kindle Vildor was elevated from the practice squad last week for the matchup against the Bills, and all signs point to him getting another opportunity this week due to the injuries at his position. When speaking with Patriots Wire, he reflected on getting the chance to go out there in Week 4.
"It was kind of late notice for real because we had people dealing with injuries," he said. "At the end of the day, when I go out there on defense, I'm doing the same thing. I'm covering people, stuff like that. So I was able to go out there and get my feet wet a little bit."
And it also helped that he was given the tough task of defending against a very talented Bills team.
"Definitely a big confidence booster, and now that I know that I possibly could be playing even more. So I was able to prepare myself like a normal game week and stuff like that. So when I'm out there this Sunday, I'll be even more comfortable."
Vrabel also spoke highly of Vildor.
"Yeah. He'll have a great opportunity. He jumped in there last week, was ready to go, had great coverage, great stab, went up through the pocket," the head coach explained. "So again, that'd be one of the roster moves that we're talking about. And he's a veteran who's played a lot of football. I don't think the moment's too big for him. He just jumped in there last week and was ready to go. Unfortunately, I think [Keon] Coleman made a great play on what was a very good defensive play. It was an even better offensive play."
Rhamondre Stevenson Is Good To Go
After appearing to get injured in the win over the Bills, Rhamondre Stevenson's status for Sunday has been in question. But he put all the speculation to rest on Friday.
“Feeling great. Ready to go,” Stevenson said. “I just got rolled up on. It was just a little scare I had. Just really making sure I was good, honestly… I’ve just been recovering, doing things like that. Got on the field; I ran. Ran around yesterday, and I was full go today.”
Mike Vrabel Comments On Some Key Guys In The Secondary Amid High Number Of Injuries
With the number of injuries at cornerback, other players will have to step up in the secondary. That includes safety Jaylen Reed, who the Patriots aquired as part of the Kayshon Boutte trade with the Houston Texans.
"Well, I think he’s playing a couple different positions," Vrabel said of Reed. "Probably when you're a backup, it's a versatility role - some safety and some big nickel. So, I think that trying to get him to focus on big nickel and get him to learn that I think has been really good."
Then there's Mike Brown, a veteran safety who has been with the Patriots throughout the entire spring and summer, that was just signed to the 53-man roster off the practice squad.
"Well, he's a core special teams player," he explained. "He's a personal protector on the punt team and backup safety. So, we're going to need him eventually, and there'll be a lot of moves. We only get two elevations."
And lastly, the Patriots recently signed cornerback Al’Zillion Hamilton to the practice squad.
"He had a good workout. I think he was a little banged up in camp early on, and I think he's healthy and had a good workout," Vrabel said of Hamilton. He was able to come in, quickly learn, and understand what we were doing from a communication standpoint. That's a tough process. So, he seems to be headed in the right direction. He's only been here a few days, but from my interactions with him, he's trying to figure it out."
A Rough Week For Caleb Lomu At His Rookie Duties
Vrabel was very complimentary of the Patriots' 2026 first-round pick, especially as it's not always customary for someone taken in that position to be okay with a limited role.
"By all accounts, he's done a decent job. I think he's learned different roles, different positions, trying to do the jumbo stuff last week and help us out there," he explained. "He just continues to work, and then getting a lot of reps during the week here. We understand we have an older tackle in Morgan [Moses], and so he gets a lot of work in there. I'm sure he'll find a way to continue to help us as the season goes on. Great attitude."
However, there is one thing he appears to be struggling with.
Lomu was tasked with taking over the Friday updates segment in meetings from Will Campbell, who had to do it during his rookie season. And apparently, Week 5 wasn't his best performance.
"Today he didn't bring his best stuff. Last week was good," Vrabel said. "This week I didn't think he brought his best stuff."
Other Notes
- With the one open roster spot remaining, Vrabel said he expects it to go to core special teamer Brenden Schooler, who is "ready to go."
- Vrabel on the passing of Mike Ditka: "I did not have a ton of interactions with him. My buddy Luke [Fickell] played for him for a year in New Orleans. But certainly, an unbelievable piece to the NFL and the history of the NFL. Unbelievable player. I saw he's got the most tight end receiving yards in the first two years, and many other records, I’m sure. I just saw something with Brock Bowers and Mike Ditka. So, tough player, tough coach, excellent at both."
- Vrabel is "excited" for his dinner with members of the 2001 Super Bowl team on Saturday night, adding that it'll be "good to see a lot of those guys."
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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: What I’m hearing at Gillette Stadium: Friday talk (Week 5)
