Christian Gonzalez: Everything you need to know

Gonzalez played in 14 regular-season contests (all starts) in 2025, recording 69 tackles and 10 defensed passes. Gonzalez missed the first three games of the campaign due to a hamstring injury but was healthy enough to play the remainder of the season. He was a standout in pass coverage, earning his first career Pro Bowl nod. Gonzalez also shined in the postseason, notching 19 tackles (including 1.0 sacks) and seven defensed passes (including an interception) along with a forced fumble across four contests. He'll be in the final year of his rookie contract in 2026, but given his standout play the past two years, it wouldn't be surprising if New England looks to ink him to an extension.

Gonzalez (concussion) doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's divisional-round game against the Texans. Coach Mike Vrabel called Gonzalez questionable to face Houston earlier in the day Friday, but that appeared to be a mishap on Vrabel's part, as Gonzalez cleared protocol and is ready to go for a date with Jayden Higgins after Nico Collins (concussion) was ruled out for Sunday.

Gonzalez (concussion) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's divisional-round matchup against the Texans, Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald reports. Despite practicing in full Thursday, Gonzalez must still clear the NFL's five-step concussion protocol in order to suit up for Sunday's playoff contest. The third-year pro from Oregon is one of the league's premier outside cornerbacks, recording 69 total tackles and 10 passes defensed across 14 regular-season games in 2025. If active for the divisional round, Gonzalez will likely start opposite Carlton Davis to form the Patriots' top boundary corner duo.