FOXBORO — Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez officially will be listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Steelers, per head coach Mike Vrabel.
Gonzalez returned to practice Wednesday after suffering a hamstring injury July 28 in training camp. He was limited in practice all week in his return to the field.
Defensive end Keion White (illness) and fullback Jack Westover (hamstring) will also be listed as questionable to play Sunday against the Steelers
If Gonzalez can’t play, then the Patriots could elect to start Marcus Jones opposite Carlton Davis III for the second consecutive week. Jones is a good matchup for Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin, while Davis could cover DK Metcalf. Of course, it would be ideal to have Gonzalez on the field to cover Metcalf, but that’s only if he’s ready to play.
“We listed him as limited, which means he did some work,” Vrabel said of Gonzalez on Friday. “We’ll still kind of evaluate where he’s at closer to the game. It was good to see him out there, very good to have him out there, more guys we can get out there the better.”
In three-cornerback sets, Alex Austin will be available, though the Steelers rarely play with a third wide receiver on the field. Roman Wilson, Scotty Miller and Ben Skowronek have all played as third wide receivers. The Steelers primarily play in 12 personnel with two tight ends on the field. Their options at that position are Pat Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith and Darnell Washington.
The Patriots’ passing defense ranks 28th in dropback EPA per play allowed despite leading the NFL in sacks. They’re 29th in success rate after playing quarterbacks Geno Smith and Tua Tagovailoa. Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers ranks 17th in EPA/play out of 30 qualfied QBs.
White played as a rotational edge defender in Week 1 before missing Week 2 with an injury. Anfernee Jennings replaced White in the defensive rotation and played well. Vrabel will have a decision to make whether to dress White or Jennings against the Steelers, if White is healthy enough to play.
Westover is the team’s top fullback, though he’s played just eight snaps in two games. The Patriots have played backup tight end Austin Hooper 60 snaps behind starter Hunter Henry, who’s played 117 snaps.
