Mike Vrabel just provided the worst update possible on Christian Gonzalez
The Patriots' defense was a prime focus of Sunday's disappointing loss to the Raiders for a number of reasons, not all of which were positive. But there was a lot of hype coming out of the game surrounding the impressive showings by Harold Landry, who led the league in sacks with 2.5, and Milton Williams, who had one of the best pass rush win rates of all Week 1's slate of games.
It was a solid debut for both new Patriots and proved beyond any doubt that the new regime's decision to sign them in free agency was the right decision, especially since Williams received the richest contract in team history.
However, the secondary wasn't as effective, as they allowed six plays of 20+ yards throughout the game, enabling QB Geno Smith to complete 24 of 34 passes for 362 yards and a touchdown, in addition to four receivers finishing the game averaging 20+ yards per reception.
It was immediately apparent that they were missing the shutdown abilities of Christian Gonzalez, who appeared on the sideline during the game to support his teammates, so it seemed like he might be on his way back this week. But Mike Vrabel's latest update casts doubt on that happening.
It's not looking good for Christian Gonzalez to return to the Patriots for their Week 2 matchup
There was a lot of hope that Gonzalez would finally return to the practice field this week since he's been dealing with a hamstring injury for over a month. He hasn't practiced since July 28, so he'd need to be back with the team early in the week to ensure he had enough time to get back into the swing of things.
It looked like that was a good possibility when the Patriots released training camp standout cornerback DJ James on Tuesday, but Mike Vrabel told reporters that Gonzalez isn't expected at practice on Wednesday, which would be an indication that he won't be suited up against the Dolphins.
It's a brutal hit for a secondary that already didn't look too good against the Raiders, who don't have a receiving corps as talented as the Dolphins.
It might have been easier to slow down players like Jakobi Meyers and Tre Tucker, even though the defense clearly struggled, than it will be with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. So that makes Gonzalez's continued absence that much more concerning.
It certainly doesn't help that they released safety Jabrill Peppers last week, and they're still not overly enthused with what Kyle Dugger is bringing to the table, making the secondary a far more vulnerable group altogether.
It would be beneficial if we could continue to see solid growth and strong play from players like Jaylinn Hawkins, who had some standout moments last week, and Craig Woodson, who has impressed since the summer despite being a rookie.
Time will tell and things can certainly change, but it's looking more and more like Gonzalez will miss another game.
NFL insider drops Giants’ Jaxson Dart bombshell after Week 1
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll is committed to starting Russell Wilson at quarterback in Week 2 against the Dallas Cowboys, but it sounds like big changes could be coming.
ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter suggests that Daboll could be nearing making a quarterback change, in favor of ascending first-round rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart.
“I think we start with the New York Giants,” Schefter said, during an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show. “The fact that Brian Daboll, the head coach, declined to commit to Russell Wilson as the starting quarterback after [Sunday’s] game, despite repeated chacnes to do so, the time to go to Jaxson Dart, the Giants’ rookie first-round draft pick is coming.
“We don’t know whether it’s going to be this week, next week, next month, but make no mistake about it, Jaxson Dart’s time as the starting quarterback is coming.”
While there has always been an assumption that Dart would play at some point during his rookie season, this marks the first time that a reporter with Schefter’s network of sources and pedigree has hinted that a quarterback change could be relatively imminent for the Giants.
Behind a patchwork offensive line on Sunday afternoon, Wilson managed just 168 passing yards on his way to a meager 59.3 passer rating as he absorbed two sacks and eight quarterback pressures while sailing several passes badly off target, in a 21-6 shellacking by the Commanders.
Daboll could be looking to spark the Giants’ offense by inserting Dart, who was one of the brightest stars across the league during the preseason.
The No. 25 overall pick, out of Ole Miss, passed for 372 yards with three touchdowns while completing 37-0f-47 passing attempts during the preseason slate before being elevated to the Giants’ No. 2 quarterback role for the season opener.
When might Jaxson Dart make first Giants start?
Scott Taetsch | GettyGiants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart did not play in New York’s opener, despite being elevated to the No. 2 quarterback spot.
The Giants’ strength of schedule is among the most difficult in the NFL, so there might not be an ideal opportunity to ease Dart into the lineup, which might be why Daboll and staff reportedly had a package of plays in place for Week 1 against Washington to get him some snaps without pressing him into the starting role.
Given that New York’s next three games come against the division-rival Cowboys, in Dallas, against the Kansas City Chiefs, before hosting the Los Angeles Chargers, it might be a bit closer to Schefter’s “next month” prediction before Dart leads the offense out of the tunnel and onto the field.
Week 5 in New Orleans against the Saints could present as soft a landing as the Giants will find on the schedule for Dart to make his first start, before returning home the following week to host the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles, at MetLife Stadium.
Whether the Giants’ offensive line improves and if Wilson can bounce back from a shoddy performance in his New York debut could certainly impact the timeline and pressure Daboll feels to get Dart onto the field, but it sounds like Wilson’s role as the starter is anything but secure, at this point.
