Patriots' Gonzalez Limited at Practice With Hamstring Ahead of Saints

Christian Gonzalez, the New England Patriots' starting cornerback, was listed as a limited participant at Thursday's practice at Gillette Stadium with a hamstring issue, raising questions about his availability for Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints. Gonzalez began the session with team stretching and an individual period but left the main field and did not return during the media viewing window, prompting the limited designation on the official injury report.

Patriots cornerbacks coach Justin Hamilton characterized Gonzalez's early exit as part of a planned rehab and conditioning regimen developed by head coach Mike Vrabel and the team's medical staff. Hamilton said the early portion of practice serves as a warmup and that some drills are run at a jog or walkthrough pace to allow players on individualized programs to build up to full-speed periods. Gonzalez had been a full participant in practices earlier in the week and was not listed on Wednesday's injury report.

Gonzalez, 23, suffered a hamstring injury in training camp on July 28 and missed the first three regular-season games before returning in Week 4. He played every defensive snap in New England's road win...