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Patriots CB Christian Gonzalez out again Tuesday amid contract questions

Boston Herald · Andrew Callahan · 2026-08-18T17:11:34+00:00 · nguồn gốc

Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez was missing for Tuesday’s walkthrough and has not practiced in more than a week, since he took a hard fall at the end of a padded practice on Monday, Aug. 10. Gonzalez’s absence continues amid prolonged contract negotiations over a potential extension. During his time away, the Seahawks and star cornerback Devon Witherspoon reached a deal that makes Witherspoon the highest-paid cornerback ever by total money, fully guaranteed money and average annual value. It’s expected Gonzalez is looking to reset the market again for corners. On Monday, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport provided an update on the negotiations, and Gonzalez’s future as the season nears. “I don’t expect this to leak into the season. Either it will get done or it won’t,” said Rapoport. “But I don’t think this will be the kind of thing where the Patriots want to see something and he goes out and plays great, and they’re like, ‘OK, he deserves a new contract.’ No. They know he’s a great player. When it gets done, he’s going to be the highest paid. … If cooler heads can prevail here, I would imagine it could get done pretty quickly.” Over the weekend, ESPN reported the two sides have not made a lot of recent progress. Linebacker Chad Muma, offensive lineman Ben Brown, outside linebacker Xavier Holmes, wide receiver Kyle Dixon and newly-signed offensive guard Greg Van Roten were also absent Tuesday.