The New England Patriots are running out of time to know whether Christian Gonzalez will be ready for Week 1.
The standout cornerback has missed more than a month with a left hamstring injury and still has yet to return to practice.
He was again absent from the field Thursday, a session that wrapped up the Patriots’ work before a three-day break. Gonzalez has mostly been seen in street clothes during workouts, according to the Boston Herald’s Andrew Callahan.
New England faces a narrow window to work him back. The club has just five practices left before opening against the Las Vegas Raiders.