The Mike Vrabel era in New England is off to a not-so-great start.
The final injury report for the Patriots was revealed on Friday and there is a possibility that they will be without two of their three most recent first-round draft selections.
According to NFL insider Ari Meirov, New England will be without cornerback Christian Gonzalez on Sunday due to a hamstring injury. Gonzalez was a first-round pick back in 2023 and has appeared in just 20 of a possible 34 games since being drafted.
Gonzalez may not be the only first-round pick the Patriots are without, as this year's first-round pick, offensive lineman Will Campbell, was listed as questionable for Sunday's game due to an ankle injury. Campbell was selected No. 4 overall in this year's draft and is expected to be a huge part of a rebuilt offensive line.
The loss of Gonzalez is a major one, as he more than likely would've been matched up against the No. 1 receiver for the Las Vegas Raiders, Jakobi Myers. He racked up well over 1,000 receiving yards last season and he may now become even more of a focal point of the game plan with Gonzalez's absence.
Campbell being healthy and able to play will be huge as well knowing that the Las Vegas defensive line boasts one of the best players in Maxx Crosby. Crosby versus Campbell in Week 1 was a matchup many were wanting to see and wondering how well Campbell would to hold up against one of the NFL's best players.
New England should be able to overcome the loss of just Gonzalez. If it is both Gonzalez and Campbell out, though, the Patriots could be staring 0-1 in the face.
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