Patriots Start Steelers Week With Double-Digit Injuries

What It Means for the Patriots:

Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel confirmed, just prior to practice, that cornerback Christian Gonzalez is not only set to return to the practice fields, but also that his status for New England’s Week 3 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Gillette Stadium is in play.

Gonzalez originally injured his hamstring during the Pats’ fifth training camp practice on July 28. He was attempting to cover receiver Stefon Diggs on a crossing route when he began favoring his left leg. He walked carefully, under his own power, to the medical shed adjacent to the practice fields where he was attended to by members of the Patriots’ training staff, and did not return to practice after his departure. He did not see the playing field until the Pats’ first practice of Week 3 — participating in a limited capacity.

New England’s lone non-participant was defensive end Keion White, who missed his fourth straight practice due to illness. He was also inactive for the Pats’ Week 2 win over the Dolphins. Veteran Anfernee Jennings helped mitigate White’s absence off the edges of the defense after being a healthy inactive for the season opener against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Despite playing all but one of New England’s defensive snaps, boundary cornerback Carlton Davis, III was listed as a limited participant with a hamstring injury. Davis appeared to have pulled ups bit tightly in the closing moments of their Week 2 win over Miami. With Pittsburgh likley eager to test the Pats’ secondary in man coverage, Davis’ status will be one to monitor in the coming days.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

DID NOT PARTICIPATE

CB Darius Slay, Not Injury Related / Resting

CB Joey Porter Jr., Hamstring

S DeShon Elliott, Knee

LB Alex Highsmith, Ankle

LB T.J. Watt, Not Injury Related / Resting

LIMITED PARTICIPATION

OL Max Scharping, Knee

DT Derrick Harmon, Knee

FULL PARTICIPATION

LB Patrick Queen, Oblique

What It Means for the Steelers:

Much like the Patriots, the Steelers are entering Week 3 with theor share of injuries.

Coach Mike Tomlin, per Steelers.com, has already ruled out linebacker Alex Highsmith, while defensive lineman Isaiahh Loudermilk has been placed on the Reserve/Injured List.

In addition, safety DeShon Elliott and cornerback Joey Porter Jr., who both missed the Seahawks game, and rookie Derrick Harmon, who has yet to make his NFL debut, are all questionable. Harmon was a limited particpant in Pittsburgh’s first practice this week.