Overview

• Head coach Mike Vrabel said Wednesday the team will ramp up Christian Gonzalez’s practice workload with the intention that he plays Sunday against Carolina.
• Vrabel explained it was his call to rule Gonzalez out late last week versus Pittsburgh because the cornerback "needed a little bit more time."
• Gonzalez practiced last Wednesday for the first time since his July 28 hamstring strain and has yet to appear in a game this season.
• Pushing back on speculation about his motives, Gonzalez said, "I never don’t want to play," and emphasized his desire to return.
• New England’s pass defense has struggled without him, ranking 29th in passing yards allowed through three weeks, while reports conflict on whether there was any setback in his rehab.