That’s good news for a team that continues to deal with a rash of injuries on both sides of the ball. Last weekend against the Raiders, the Patriots were down to three healthy cornerbacks, but still managed to emerge with a 45-17 win.
For that game, Gonzalez, Carlton Davis, Karon Prunty, and Channing Canada were all sidelined. As a result, the Patriots utilized Marcus Jones, Kindle Vildor, and Charles Woods at cornerback, all of whom played at least 60 percent of the defensive snaps in the victory.
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On Wednesday, Gonzalez praised the trio for their ability to persevere, regardless of the depth chart.
“Just a testament to their work,” he said. “It’s a real tight-knit room. We joke all the time, we laugh all the time, we hang out. So I mean, just them being able to step up and do what we knew they would do, it was no surprise to us or anybody in the building
“I’m happy for them that they went out there and did what they did,” he added. “It was cool to be out there and watch them do that.”
Wednesday’s workout was Gonzalez’s first since injuring his shoulder in the first quarter of a Sept. 27 loss to the Jaguars. In the window that was open to the media, Gonzalez did not look hampered in any way, taking his usual spot at the head of the line when it came to cornerback drills.
Before the injury, the 6-foot-1-inch, 205-pound Gonzalez had begun the season on an excellent note. On the heels of receiving a new contract, he had been working effectively against some of the league’s best receivers through three games.
Gonzalez said he was able to finish the contest against Jacksonville because of adrenaline.
“At that point, you’ve got a lot of adrenaline,” he said. “Adrenaline covers a lot of things in this sport. So at that time I felt good, and things happen. So it is what it is, and I’m ready for this week.”
While out, Gonzalez has been a visible presence, including in the locker room and along the sideline. The 24-year-old said it’s changed his perspective on the game, and helped him grow as a player and a leader.
“It’s helped a little. I mean, it kind of changes the game a little bit,” he said. “I kind of feel like I can help. I was able to be out there and talk to [Woods], talk to [Vildor], talk to the guys just in the back end, just like as if I was out there.
“Just being able to talk to the guys [and] tell them what I see here, what they’re thinking, and kind of just help them. Just look at certain things, and maybe tendencies that I can pick up from watching, from seeing from the sideline. Being there, I can kind of be in their ear and give them some tips on how I would look at a certain formation or attack certain guys.”
If Gonzalez does play Sunday, it’s likely he’ll see a sizable dose of Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson, who has 31 catches on 42 targets for 374 yards and three touchdowns this season, all team highs.
It’s been enough to impress Gonzalez.
“Everything,” he said of what stands out for him about Wilson. “He can play all the spots on the offense. They move him around a lot, and [he’s] extremely athletic. He makes highlight catches all the time. [I have] a ton of respect for who he is, for the player he is. I’m just excited to see him again, for sure.”
Christopher Price can be reached at christopher.price@globe.com. Follow him on Bluesky at christopherprice.bsky.social.