The New England Patriots will be shorthanded when they travel to Miami this weekend. Head coach Mike Vrabel confirmed Friday morning that starting cornerback Christian Gonzalez and defensive end Keion White will not make the trip and are officially ruled out against the Dolphins.
White, 26, has been sidelined all week with an illness and did not participate in any of the team’s practices. Vrabel didn’t offer a timeline for his potential return but did note that linebacker Anfernee Jennings will step into a larger role in his absence.
“Very ready. I think Anfernee is very ready,” Vrabel told reporters. “I had to make a tough decision last week — we could only have so many guys active. I’m excited to see Anfernee play.”
White logged 29 defensive snaps in last week’s loss to the Raiders, finishing with two tackles. Jennings, meanwhile, was inactive and did not see the field. Vrabel also hinted that rookie defensive lineman Elijah Ponder, an undrafted free agent, could see his first real action on Sunday.
The Patriots’ front seven could be stretched even thinner depending on the status of linebacker Marte Mapu. The versatile defender is questionable with a neck injury, leaving the depth chart even more unsettled heading into a crucial divisional matchup.
On the back end, New England will again be without Gonzalez, their All-Pro corner. Gonzalez has been nursing a hamstring injury that has sidelined him for over a month, and this weekend will mark his second consecutive missed game. He has not practiced since suffering the injury, though Vrabel said the young star is “trending in the right direction.” The team has been careful not to set a timetable for his return.
The Patriots enter Miami looking to avoid an 0–2 start against AFC East opponents. Without two key defensive starters, Vrabel and his staff will be leaning heavily on depth players to step up in one of the toughest road environments in football.
My name is Ben Belford-Peltzman and I am the creator and writer of The Patriots Beat. I am a 17-year kid who is an optimistic pessimist about the City of Champions. I started The Patriots Beat in August of 2022 and never expected to grow so much but here we are. Feel free to email Thepatriotsbeat@gmail.com with any inquires.
