Injury or Holdout: Why Wasn’t Christian Gonzalez on Patriots Preseason Sideline originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Despite being one of the most gifted cornerbacks in the NFL, Christian Gonzalez has had a tough time consistently staying on the gridiron due to injury. New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel told reporters that the cornerback was "physically unable" to attend practice this week, but his complete absence from Thursday's preseason opener against the Indianapolis Colts could be telling.
Gonzalez, heading into his fourth NFL season, is on the final year of his rookie deal. One NFL expert believes that this could be the cornerback's way of subtly demanding a new and improved contract.
Here's why Gonzalez's status of "physically unavailable" to attend practice this week and a no-show in preseason may be deeper than people realize.
Why didn't Christian Gonzalez play in first preseason game?
While Coach Vrabel has come out saying Gonzalez was "physically unavailable" for practice this week, along with Thursday night's preseason opener against the Colts, fans have begun the debate over whether or not it's injury-related or regarding his contract. The cornerback was part of the long list of Patriots starters who were held out of the contest.
However, Gonzalez was reportedly not even in the stadium, according to Boston Globe Senior NFL Writer Ben Volin.
Vrabel said Christian Gonzalez was “physically unavailable” to practice Tuesday. And Gonzalez wasn’t at the stadium last night. Sounds like the makings of a “hold in” pic.twitter.com/qNuEWjskOL
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) August 14, 2026
“Christian was unavailable, physically unavailable for the practice,” Vrabel said, via a transcript from the team, per NBC Sports. “That’s the clarification. Just like other players that I told to have treatment, and everybody has a plan here, there were other guys that were in that same category. If you want to list the names, Christian Elliss, Brenden Schooler, Harold Landry, Christian Barmore, et cetera. So make sure they’re all included. They were all in the same group of what they did.”
Christian Gonzalez injury history
Here is a look at Gonzalez's injury history during his time in New England, according to Draft Sharks:
| Date | Injury | Games missed |
| Jan. 11, 2026 | Concussion | - |
| July 28, 2025 | Thigh/hamstring strain | 3 |
| Dec. 28, 2024 | Concussion | 1 |
| Oct. 1, 2023 | Shoulder labrum tear | 13 |
| Total games missed: | 17 |
Christian Gonzalez contract
Heading into the 2026 season, Gonzalez is currently on his four-year, $15.1 million rookie contract, according to Spotrac. He is entering the final season on this rookie deal, and the Patriots exercised Gonzalez's fifth-year option to keep him under team control through the 2027 season. He is slated to become an unrestricted free agent in 2028.
Some people have cited the cornerback's recent absence as a form of hold-out, or perhaps a hold-in, for a new contract.