Overview
- Patriots CB Christian Gonzalez was a limited participant Wednesday in a red non-contact jersey, indicating a move into Stage 4 of the NFL concussion protocol per team reports.
- Texans WR Nico Collins remained in the concussion protocol and did not practice Wednesday after his helmet-to-turf hit in the wild-card win, his second concussion this season.
- Mike Vrabel said he anticipated Gonzalez practicing, while DeMeco Ryans kept Collins’ status open but emphasized giving him time to recover.
- Official injury reports listed Gonzalez as limited for New England and Collins as a non-participant for Houston; Texans WR Justin Watson also sat with a concussion.
- Some sportsbooks shifted the line toward New England (from roughly -2.5 to about -3.5) following the updates, as Houston may need larger roles from Christian Kirk, Jayden Higgins and Dalton Schultz if Collins is unavailable.