Patriots cornerback depth facing challenge, opportunity early in training camp

When the New England Patriots’ top defense took the field Tuesday morning, it did so without its two starting outside cornerbacks.

One of the team’s top free agent pickups, Carlton Davis, has appeared in just two of six training camp practices so far while dealing with an undisclosed injury that started his summer on the NFI list. New England then saw second-team All-Pro Christian Gonzalez suffer a hamstring injury in Monday’s practice that kept him out of Day 2 of full pads.

With the two sidelined, New England’s cornerback depth was put to the test on Tuesday. Among them was third-year pro Alex Austin, who took one of the two outside roles that were left unmanned.

“It’s a physical game we…