Overview

• Head coach Mike Vrabel said the club intends for Christian Gonzalez to play Sunday against the Panthers, calling it the plan after increasing his practice work.
• Gonzalez told reporters he always wants to play and pushed back on any narrative suggesting otherwise.
• Vrabel explained he held Gonzalez out in Week 3 after practice participation because the cornerback needed a little more time to be game-ready.
• New England chose not to place Gonzalez on injured reserve, expecting a quicker return that would keep him eligible to play within four weeks.
• Reporting indicates no documented rehab setback, with some frustration noted and outside discussion tying his timeline to extension eligibility, and outlets differ on whether the hamstring injury occurred in late July or in June.