Christian Gonzalez has yet to return to practice for the Patriots.
Christian Gonzalez has yet to return to practice for the Patriots.Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff
FOXBOROUGH — Patriots star cornerback Christian Gonzalez will not play Sunday in the season opener, coach Mike Vrabel announced Friday.
Gonzalez’s availability already was in doubt, as he did not practice this week because of a hamstring injury suffered on July 28. It would have been shocking to see Gonzalez active for Week 1, given that he has not practiced since suffering the injury.
Alex Austin is expected to step up as the starting boundary cornerback opposite Carlton Davis. Vrabel said Marcus Jones, who typically operates out of the slot, also will be involved more on the perimeter. D.J. James and Craig Woodson round out the depth chart.
“We’re going to call our defense and play football,” defensive coordinator Terrell Williams said Thursday. “That’s what the league’s about.”
The Raiders, New England’s first opponent, don’t boast a formidable receiving corps, with Jakobi Meyers, Tre Tucker, Jack Bech, and Dont’e Thornton. Bech and Thornton are rookies, while Meyers is the lone proven receiver.
The bigger challenge will be first-team All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers, who last year set the rookie records for receptions (112) and receiving yards (1,194) in a season. The Patriots could cover Bowers with a cornerback, which would further test their depth.
“That’s why guys like him are great because they present so many issues,” Williams said. “You put a corner on him and they start running the football, then you open up another can of worms. That’s what football is.”