The New England Patriots will likely have a major defensive weapon ready for the New York Jets on Sunday.
Christian Gonzalez, the Patriots’ top cornerback, practiced fully on Thursday after missing two games with a shoulder injury. If he plays on Sunday, he will draw a tough assignment: shut down the Jets’ star receiver Garrett Wilson, who leads his team with 31 catches, 374 yards and three touchdowns.
Wilson’s stats are all the more impressive given that he’s played most of the season without a true No. 2 receiver to take the heat off his coverage.
Gonzalez vowed earlier this week to be back for the Jets game. He was listed as limited in Wednesday’s Patriots report.
Getting the ball to Wilson early and often has been a major part of the Jets offensive strategy. If he gets going early, it opens up other avenues for the Jets. Gang Green received some good news this week, as tight end threat Kenyon Sadiq appears likely to play after passing through the NFL concussion protocols. He will be a game-time decision but practiced fully on Thursday.
Also expected to boost the Jets is the return from injured reserve of rookie Omar Cooper Jr. A No. 1 choice out of Indiana, Cooper went down with a high ankle sprain on opening day against the Tennessee Titans. In his brief playing time, though, he impressed with a 30-yard catch and run that scattered Titans defenders.
The Patriots also listed defensive tackle Cory Durden as a did-not-practice on their injury report. He has an unspecified illness.
Cornerback Carlton Davis (neck) and cornerback Karon Prunty (hamstring) did not participate for the Pats for a second consecutive day. That makes the Gonzalez news even more important.
The looming big question for the Patriots is whether star receiver A.J. Brown has recovered from an ankle injury. Brown was listed as limited on the injury report, a definition that likely means he won’t be at full strength for Sunday’s contest.
Not expected to play is left tackle Will Campbell, who has a knee injury sustained during last weekend’s Patriots battering of the Las Vegas Raiders. If he can’t go, No. 1 draft choice Caleb Lomu will take his place. He performed well as a sub in the Raiders game, going 29 snaps without allowing a sack.
The game is a big one for divisional alignment. The Jets are 2-3 and the Patriots 3-2 heading into this match. The Jets have just one win in the last 16 years at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, so copping a victory would be a big boost to the team’s claims to be on the rise.
