The New England Patriots suffered more than just a blowout loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday afternoon.
According to a report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, first-round rookie cornerback Christian Gonzalez is likely to miss the rest of the regular season with a serious shoulder injury.
Gonzalez dislocated his shoulder and suffered a torn labrum, per Rapoport, while making a tackle in the first quarter of Sunday’s 38-3 loss.
He will have surgery soon.
The trade for JC Jackson was necessary because… #Patriots CB Christian Gonzalez, who would have been a candidate for defensive rookie of the year, is likely to miss the rest of the 2023 season with a torn labrum from a dislocated shoulder on Sunday, sources say. Surgery soon. pic.twitter.com/97usulsG6N
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 4, 2023
Gonzalez was off to a strong start to his first pro season. He posted 17 tackles, one sack, one interception and three passes defensed in his first four games.
New England traded for Los Angeles Chargers cornerback and former Patriot standout J.C. Jackson this morning in an attempt to ease the loss of Gonzalez.
In addition to Gonzalez going down, the Patriots also lost star pass rusher Matthew Judon to a torn right lower biceps tendon that is expected to sideline him for an extended period of time.
Now 1-3 on the season, the Patriots will host the 2-2 New Orleans Saints at Gillette Stadium on Sunday afternoon.