The Good and Not So Good From Patriots Practice: TreVeyon Henderson Leaves Early

FOXBORO --- In the N ew England Patriots' first practice since their 24-21 preseason win over the Philadelphia Eagles, they got some developments on both side of the spectrum. Both Christian Gonzalez and TreVeyon Henderson made headlines with injury updates.

The Patriots were able to get Gonzalez back onto the field for the first time in two weeks, while Henderson left to go inside the team's facility halfway through the session. Here's why those were important, and what it could mean for the Patriots going forward:

The Good: Christian Gonzalez Returns

Jul 25, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez (0) works out at training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Patriots' best defensive player was back out on the field for the first time since Aug. 10. Gonzalez, who dealt with a minor ankle injury this month and missed out on both joint practices, was a full participant today and worked with the top defense. He got a PBU against A.J. Brown in 1-on-1s and beat DeMario Douglas in 2-on-2s.

"I think we’re hopeful that he will be able to do some stuff," head coach Mike Vrabel said before the practice. "He was working before the game and trying to work through the return to play, so we’ll see how he feels this morning."

While Gonzalez remains in the middle of potential contract extension negotiations, the Patriots secondary has drastically missed their best player. They're happy that he's healthy and ready to return.

"The most important thing is health and everything," fellow cornerback Marcus Jones said after practice, where he didn't know that Gonzalez would participate until the session began. "So, happy that he’s feeling better and everything, and happy to have him back too."

But even with Gonzalez returning to the field with his teammates, his head coach didn't want to address any concerns he may have for Gonzalez's availability when the regular season opens up on Sept. 9.

"I’m going to focus on today. I’m not ready to talk about Week 1," Vrabel said. "I hope that we have to do everything we can to get the guys ready. Each guy has to be ready individually, and then I have to find a way to make sure that the football team is ready and that we’re conditioned and ready to go."

The Not So Good: TreVeyon Henderson Gets Banged Up

Jul 25, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots running back Treveyon Henderson (32) warms up at training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

This was the first time since the spring that the Patriots practiced on the lower field next to their brand-new facility. It was evident that something was up, as a slick playing surface led to several players falling down during practice.

"Everybody was slipping," running back Rhamondre Stevenson said. "It's just something we gotta get used to. If that's the field conditions, we have to get used to it."

While some players, like newly-signed offensive guard Jack Conley, were able to get back up and continue practicing, Henderson wasn't able to. The second-year running back slipped while trying to make a cut and then met with several members of the training staff as they looked at his right foot/ankle.

After a few minutes sitting on a trainer's table, Henderson would eventually depart inside the New Balance Athletics Center. Losing another running back to injury at this point in the summer could turn into a bigger story, as the Patriots didn't have Lan Larison and Jam Miller active in practice Monday.

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