Christian Gonzalez will travel with the New England Patriots for joint practices against the Minnesota Vikings this week, but his role will be limited to watching from the sideline.
The Patriots’ top cornerback has not practiced since July 28, when he sustained a hamstring injury during the team’s first padded session of training camp.
Since then, New England has taken a cautious approach, keeping him out of action to ensure he is ready for the start of the regular season.
“Before you think I’m being funny, you’ll probably see Christian in Minnesota, you won’t see him on the field probably in a uniform,” head coach Mike Vrabel said, as transcribed by Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald.