Overview
- Coach Mike Vrabel confirmed Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis III will miss this week’s joint practices and Friday’s preseason opener with hamstring and undisclosed ailments.
- Second-year cornerback Marcellas Dial Jr. was carted off Monday with a potentially significant leg injury and is awaiting further evaluation.
- Veteran wide receiver Kendrick Bourne is unlikely to practice this week after sustaining a leg injury in recent drills.
- New England’s $360 million offseason overhaul, including reunions with Mike Vrabel and Josh McDaniels, faces an early test as its revamped secondary endures multiple setbacks.
- The Patriots are set to lean on reserve defensive backs such as Alex Austin and Marcus Jones and may tweak practice protocols to manage workloads ahead of the regular season.