New England Patriots standout cornerback Christian Gonzalez will begin the week of the team’s divisional round matchup in the concussion protocol, coach Mike Vrabel told reporters Monday.

Gonzalez sustained the injury during the fourth quarter of Sunday night’s 16-3 wild-card win over the Los Angeles Chargers and did not return to the game.

“How long that lasts, I don’t know, but when they don’t let you go back in the game, that would put you in the protocol,” Vrabel said. “So wherever that goes, that goes.”

Gonzalez, 23, earned his first career Pro Bowl nod this season, his third with the Patriots since they selected him 17th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. He was a second-team All-Pro in 2024.

He had 10 pass breakups and a career-high 69 tackles in the regular season and added two more PBUs in his playoff debut Sunday.

The Patriots will host the winner of Monday night’s game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Houston Texans in Foxborough, Mass., on Sunday.

–Field Level Media