FOXBORO — Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez left the fourth quarter of Sunday’s win over the Falcons with an announced head injury and did not return.
But the next time you see the Patriots on a football field, Gonzalez should be there.
The 23-year-old star shared post-game that he entered and cleared the NFL’s concussion protocol at the end of the game. Gonzalez even intended to re-enter the game had the Patriots offense failed to run out the clock inside the final two minutes. He left the game after crashing to the ground at the end of a 40-yard completion he allowed to Falcons receiver Drake London deep down the left sideline.
“I just landed, hit my head,” Gonzalez said. “Just gotta be careful with that, but I’m good.”
Gonzalez shadowed London in key situations and allowed three catches to the Falcons star for 67 yards. He also broke up two passes, including a fourth-down throw intended for London late in the second quarter that forced a turnover on downs. Overall, London enjoyed a monster game with nine receptions for 119 yards and three touchdowns, including one he scored after Gonzalez got injured during their last head-to-head battle.
“It was a good route, good coverage. It (was) two big time players going to fight for the ball, and he came down with it,” Gonzalez said of the 40-yard completion. “But I’m glad we got to win.”