The depth questions at cornerback hung over the New England Patriots’ heads all summer long as Christian Gonzalez waded through contract negotiations and a potential holdout loomed.
Just when you thought things were back to normal, with Gonzalez signing a mega-extension, the Wednesday practice report was posted, showing New England’s No. 2 corner Carlton Davis as a non-participant with a neck injury.
Davis, who started all 21 games last year, is an anchor on the defense, coming off the Seattle game in which he played 49 of 50 defensive snaps.
Who has to step up?
If Davis can’t go on Sunday against Pittsburgh, a team with talented receivers in veterans DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman, it would leave New England with just five other corners on the active roster.
Gonzalez will be back at his regular spot at right corner where he was probably the best Patriot on the field in Seattle.
Marcus Jones has played well in the slot, not only last week but throughout last year with Zak Kuhr calling the shots for Mike Vrabel’s defense.
Jones could be kicked outside as an option, but he’d be a size mismatch against either of the two Steelers’ lead receivers.
The other potential options
Veteran Charles Woods and rookies Karon Prunty and Channing Canada fill out the roster.
In two seasons – plus his one snap last week – Woods had 131 defensive snaps on his resume, and the rookies have yet to play a defensive down. Prunty was inactive last week.
So not having Davis could pose a serious problem.
The 2025 season was an anomaly in Davis’ career. After signing as a free agent with the Patriots for about $18 million a year, he went out and played 91 percent of the snaps.
Injury history in his past
Over his first seven pro seasons, he’s averaged playing 12.7 games per year, meaning he misses about four per year.
Davis had 39 solo tackles last year and after not picking off a pass in the regular season, he had two playoff interceptions, both coming against C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans in the Divisional Round.
