The New England Patriots will be without cornerback Christian Gonzalez and defensive tackle Christian Barmore for Sunday’s trip to Buffalo, a development that leaves the team's defense significantly thinned ahead of a divisional matchup. Christian Gonzalez has been officially ruled out for the game, and the organization confirmed both players have not practiced since Tuesday.
Injuries and practice status
Both players are absent with shoulder injuries, the Boston outlet reported Friday, with the Lewiston Sun Journal adding that this will be the first game either has missed this season. Head coach Mike Vrabel addressed the situation, noting neither Gonzalez nor Barmore took part in practice after Tuesday and calling it a less-than-ideal situation to be down two of New England’s top players.
The hit to the Patriots’ roster carries a financial and experience component as well: the two starters hold a combined $219 million in contract value, a figure released earlier in the week that underscores how much top-end talent New England is losing for this game.
Who steps up on the depth chart
The Patriots will look to a mix of veterans and younger players to fill the void. At defensive tackle, Leonard Taylor, Daquan Jones and Joshua Farmer are listed as the next options behind starter Milton Williams and nose tackle Cory Durden, the Boston outlet reported. Replacing Barmore’s pass-rush presence is a clear challenge; the Lewiston Sun Journal noted Vrabel acknowledged the matchup difficulty against Buffalo’s offense without Barmore on the field.
In the secondary, Carlton Davis, Charles Woods and rookie Karon Prunty will be called upon to cover the workload normally handled by Gonzalez, the Boston outlet projected. Vrabel emphasized the need for the rest of the defense to step up in their absence, characterizing the situation as less than ideal against a high-powered divisional opponent.
The Patriots enter the game seeking a response after a tough outing in Jacksonville, and the injury report forces coordinator and personnel tweaks on short notice. With two key starters out and reserves thrust into prominent roles, New England’s defensive cohesion and depth will be central to its chances in Buffalo.
