The New England Patriots will enter their first joint practice and preseason opener without one of the starters from a secondary that helped carry them to Super Bowl LX.
Head coach Mike Vrabel expects Carlton Davis III to remain sidelined until the end of next week, according to Patriots reporter Doug Kyed.
Kyed reported Friday that Davis will not participate in the Aug. 11 joint practice with the Indianapolis Colts or the Aug. 13 preseason opener at Gillette Stadium.
The report didn’t specify what is keeping Davis out.
The timeline removes one of New England’s vital outside cornerbacks from its first work against another team.
Davis is entering the second season of the three-year, $54 million deal he signed with the Patriots in 2025, a contract that included $34.5 million guaranteed.
Davis became a steady piece of the defense during New England’s run to the Super Bowl last season.
He started all 17 regular-season games and all three playoff games, finished the regular season with 69 tackles and added two interceptions in the divisional round against Houston.
Davis Will Miss Patriots’ First Joint Action
GettyFOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 21: Carlton Davis III #7 of the New England Patriots reacts against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Gillette Stadium on September 21, 2025 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jordan Bank/Getty Images)
The Patriots have one joint practice scheduled with the Colts before the teams meet two days later in the preseason opener.
Davis’ absence means New England will have to work through both without its usual starting combination at outside cornerback.
Christian Gonzalez is the main feature of the group, while Marcus Jones gives the Patriots an experienced option in the slot.
Davis had already been absent for several practices entering Friday.
Charles Woods moved into regular first-team work during that stretch, according to Pats Pulpit’s Aug. 3 training camp update, although Woods also left Thursday’s practice with trainers.
That puts more attention on a reserve group New England was already evaluating closely.
The Patriots drafted Karon Prunty in the fifth round this spring, while Channing Canada and veteran Kindle Vildor are also competing for snaps behind the starting group.
Those corners can now get even more meaningful work before roster decisions begin to tighten.
Patriots Get Longer Look at Cornerback Depth
GettyFOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 07: Head coach Mike Vrabel of the New England Patriots and Carlton Davis III #7 embrace on the sideline during the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Gillette Stadium on September 07, 2025 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
Vrabel’s projected timeline still leaves room for Davis to return before New England’s next set of joint practices.
The Patriots are scheduled to host the Philadelphia Eagles on Aug. 19 and 20 before their second preseason game Aug. 22.
There is no indication from the update that Davis’ availability for those sessions is guaranteed.
As of now, New England has a defined window to work without him and a chance to sort through the depth behind one of the better starting trios on the roster.
The Patriots entered camp with Woods, Prunty, Vildor, Kobee Minor and others competing for the backup jobs.
Davis’ extended absence creates more first-team opportunities in that battle and could give Vrabel a solid look at which cornerbacks can handle outside responsibilities if injuries hit during the regular season.
Davis’ 2025 durability also provides some useful context.
He played every regular-season game for New England and remained a major part of the secondary through the postseason, including the two-interception performance against Houston.
The Patriots would prefer to have that continuity intact when the regular season arrives.
But the focus moves toward a valuable week of joint work and live preseason snaps in order to find out more about the players behind him.
Patriots’ $54 Million Starter Ruled Out Through Preseason Opener