The Patriots game-day inactives are G Jared Wilson (ankle/knee), WR Efton Chism III, OLB Elijah Ponder, G Caedan Wallace, DT Eric Gregory, and QB Tommy DeVito is the emergency third quarterback. Carolina’s inactives are TE Ja’Tavion Sanders (ankle), WR Xavier Legette (hamstring), OLB Patrick Jones (hamstring), OLB D.J. Wonnum (hip), WR Jimmy Horn, DT Jaden Crumedy, and C Nick Samac.
As for Gonzalez’s impact, getting a player of his caliber back would be a massive boost for any team. Specifically, Gonzalez returns to a pass defense that ranks 28th in expected points added per drop-back, allowing two 300-yard passers in the first two games of the season. The Patriots pass defense fared better vs. Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers in Week 3, holding the future Hall of Famer to 139 passing yards. However, CB Alex Austin was called for two third-down penalties that gave Pittsburgh first downs, leading to more opportunities for CB Charles Woods in the second half vs. the Steelers. The Pats linebackers and safeties have also been inconsistent in pass defense, particularly in man coverage, where there has been a trickle-down effect without their star cornerback.
When the Patriots signed CB Carlton Davis in free agency, the vision was to play high-level man coverage with Davis and Gonzalez forming a formidable duo. Due to Gonzalez’s absence, New England ranks in the middle of the pack in man-coverage rate (15th, 29%) and second-to-last in yards per pass attempt allowed in man coverage (9.4). Based on how the defense was built, that wasn’t the plan going into the season, so one would expect the Patriots man coverage usage to increase and effectiveness to improve significantly with Gonzalez back in the lineup.
Although he’s officially active, Gonzalez hasn’t played in a regular-season game since the 2024 season and has only had six practices as a limited participant since the summer. Thus, Gonzo could be on more of a pitch count than usual as he works himself into game shape. According to head coach Mike Vrabel, the star cornerback was more active in practice this week, which is a good sign heading into Sunday’s game.
“Good. I think he’s taken most of the reps,” Vrabel said of Gonzalez’s practice week on Friday. “He’s continued to get into better condition.”
As for the matchups Gonzalez could face, Panthers rookie WR Tetairoa McMillan (calf, questionable) is officially active on Sunday. McMillan is having a strong start to his first NFL season, averaging 72.0 receiving yards in his first three games, while generating six of Carolina’s eight pass plays over 20-plus yards. Given that McMillan is QB Bryce Young’s go-to receiver, one would expect the Patriots to shadow him with either Gonzalez or Davis, so those will be marquee matchups.
Along with Gonzalez returning, starting edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson is also active despite popping up with an injury report with a knee injury. Chaisson was held out of Wednesday’s practice before returning in a limited capacity on Thursday and Friday. The sixth-year pro, who ranks 17th in pass-rush win rate among edge defenders, will play on Sunday. However, it appears that New England would also like to give more opportunities to 2023 second-rounder Keion White.
So far this season, Chaisson and captain Harold Landry have started at outside linebacker for the Patriots in the first three games, while White was in a reserve role in the first two weeks. Landry has been outstanding, ranking 18th in pass-rush win rate and eighth in run-stop win rate among edge rushers, while Chaisson has also had his moments. The former first-rounder began repping ahead of White in camp, which has carried over into the regular season. Still, outside linebackers coach Mike Smith said that White remains in the Patriots plans on defense.
“I’m glad that he’s back because he’s going to be a big part of what we do. I see Keion as a starter, even though he’s not starting out there with K.C. or Harold [Landry]. Last week, we were just trying to get him in, get his legs back in there,” Smith said on Thursday. “Like I said from the beginning with Keion: when it clicks and it gets rolling, he’s going to be something special.”
Although their edge rusher tandem is playing well, it’ll be interesting to see whether the Patriots mix White in more, either as an edge defender or interior pass-rusher. White is also in a logjam on the interior with stud defensive tackles Milton Wiliams and Christian Barmore, along with NT Khyiris Tonga, who has caught the eye in his snaps. White is a disruptive player who can help this defense rush the passer, but the Patriots might need to get creative to get him on the field.
Moving over to the offense, the Patriots are down rookie starter Jared Wilson on the offensive line. Wilson started the first three games at left guard for New England, where he has yet to allow a sack, and held his own against Steelers star DT Cameron Heyward last week. With four new starters on the offensive line, including Wilson and No. 4 overall pick Will Campbell on an all-rookie left side, the Patriots offensive line has improved. The Pats are tied for fourth-best in Pro Football Focus’s pass-blocking efficiency metric and are fifth in run-blocking win rate, a significant improvement from a shaky 2024 season in the trenches.
For the first time this season, the Patriots will have a different starting offensive line combination, with top backup C/G Ben Brown stepping in for Wilson at left guard. Brown started 10 games for the Patriots last season, all at center. Now, he’ll play his first meaningful snaps in a regular-season game at guard, after cross-training at left guard during training camp. Unlike some centers, Brown has a bigger frame at 6-5, 313 pounds, making a switch to left guard more realistic. Still, his effectiveness in Wilson’s spot will be worth monitoring on Sunday.
After some media speculation that undrafted rookie WR Efton Chism III could be active this week, Chism remains a healthy inactive. New England will roll with the same five receivers it has played with over the last three weeks: Stefon Diggs, Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins, DeMario Douglas, and Kyle Williams.
Douglas has struggled as the primary slot receiver to start the season with just five catches for 13 yards on 13 targets, while coming up short on a decisive 4th-and-1 play that sealed the win for Pittsburgh last week. Although it’s not Chism time yet, that doesn’t mean the Patriots won’t change up their receiver rotation. For example, the Pats could move Diggs into a full-time slot role (F receiver) in place of Douglas in three-receiver sets, with Boutte, Hollins, or Williams in the X and Z-receiver roles. Williams, a talented rookie with good vertical speed (4.4s 40-yard dash), might give the Patriots some speed and separation ability on the outside.
OL – LT Campbell, LG Brown, C Bradbury, RG Onwenu, RT Moses
WR – Stefon Diggs, Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins, DeMario Douglas, Kyle Williams
RB – Rhamondre Stevenson, Antonio Gibson, TreVeyon Henderson
TE – Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, Jack Westover (FB)
Ultimately, the Patriots offense ranks ninth in expected points added per drop-back, so they’ve moved the ball well to start the season. However, the turnovers did them in, with five giveaways in last week’s loss to the Steelers. Given that the efficiency has been there, the Pats might want to remain patient with their current mix at the skill positions only three weeks into the season. Patriots QB Drake Maye’s projected supporting cast is shown above.
The Patriots host the Carolina Panthers with kickoff at 1 p.m. ET at Gillette Stadium on Sunday.
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