The Patriots finally tasted victory in Week 2, dismantling Miami 33-27 to give Mike Vrabel his first win as head coach. But the real boost came Monday when Vrabel hinted that Christian Gonzalez might return against Pittsburgh. That’s huge news considering the Steelers are lighting up scoreboards with 25.5 points per game. And now, there is an update from Gonzalez himself.

Brian Hines delivered the latest update Tuesday morning, sharing Gonzalez’s comments from Good Morning Football. “We just going day-by-day with taking it [one] step at a time. Just being in the building, sitting in the meetings doing what I can. So it’s been stressful but it’s all for a reason. So going day at a time,” Gonzalez explained. The frustration in his voice was understandable—this hamstring issue has kept him sidelined since late July.

Gonzalez suffered the injury defending a pass route during practice, and it’s been nagging him for weeks now. Hamstring injuries are notorious for lingering, especially when players try to return too early. Gonzalez learned that lesson the hard way as a rookie when a torn pec ended his season after just four games.

Gonzalez put together a solid 2024 campaign with 59 tackles, 11 pass deflections, and two picks. Pro Football Focus rewarded him with a 76.0 overall grade and an impressive 78.2 coverage mark. Those numbers tell the story of a corner that’s ready to take the next step into elite territory. New England’s secondary could be absolutely nasty this season. They’ve got Carlton Davis locking down one boundary, Gonzalez patrolling the other side, and Marcus Jones wreaking havoc in the slot. Getting Gonzalez back becomes even more critical with DK Metcalf heading to town Sunday. The Steelers receiver has been torching defenses, and the Patriots need their best cover man available.

This week’s practice sessions will tell the whole story. If Gonzalez can get through workouts without setbacks, he’s probably good to go. Even limited snaps would give this defense a massive emotional lift. Defensive backs coach Justin Hamilton recently noted that Gonzalez is “staying engaged” behind the scenes, which suggests he’s mentally locked in despite the physical limitations. The Patriots have clearly mapped out Gonzalez’s return path, and Vrabel’s public comments signal real confidence. You don’t hint at a player’s availability unless you genuinely believe it’s happening. The organization has invested too much in this secondary to rush anyone back prematurely. But all signs point toward Gonzalez being ready to roll against Pittsburgh’s high-powered offense. Christian Gonzalez might be fine for now, but the real question is: how battered is the Patriots roster after week two?

Patriots injury report: Six players banged up in Miami victory, but most should be fine

Mike Vrabel’s first victory as Patriots head coach came with a price tag attached. The 33-27 win over Miami broke New England’s five-game losing streak at Hard Rock Stadium and vaulted them into second place in the AFC East. But six players left the field nursing various bumps and bruises during what turned into a physical slugfest in South Florida.

The casualties started piling up in the third quarter when rookie safety Craig Woodson absorbed a vicious helmet-to-helmet hit from Malik Washington. He wobbled to the sideline for evaluation in the blue medical tent but cleared protocol quickly, missing just four defensive snaps before returning to action. Three plays later, Carlton Davis went down after forcing De’Von Achane out of bounds. The veteran cornerback needed attention from the medical staff but bounced back for the next series, finishing with 98 percent playing time.

Christian Barmore had the most uncomfortable injury of the day, taking an unfortunate shot to a sensitive area during a K’Lavon Chaisson sack. He walked off gingerly but returned the next drive without limitations. Christian Elliss couldn’t finish the game due to dehydration, exiting with 4:03 remaining. Marte Mapu replaced him but also left during the final drive under mysterious circumstances. The biggest concern is Morgan Moses, who played all 60 offensive snaps despite entering questionable with a foot injury. He was spotted wearing a walking boot after the game, which raises red flags heading into Pittsburgh week. Most of these injuries appear minor, but Moses bears watching closely.