The New England Patriots achieved a victory against the Los Angeles Chargers in the NFL playoffs’ divisional round, but it came with a significant drawback. Late in the fourth quarter, Pro Bowl cornerback Christian Gonzalez left the field after sustaining a head injury during the 16-3 game.
On Monday, head coach Mike Vrabel announced that Gonzalez has entered the NFL’s concussion protocol.
“The duration is uncertain, but failing to return to the game typically means you’ll enter the protocol,” Vrabel explained. “We’ll see how this develops.”
Gonzalez is not the first Patriot to go into the protocol this season, nor is it his first experience with it. Given his importance to the team as they progress through the playoffs, it’s crucial to understand the protocol and its implications.
Understanding the NFL Concussion Protocol
Concussions pose a major concern in the NFL, prompting the league to adopt measures that improve player safety and reduce head injuries. Although there’s ongoing work to be done, the implementation of the concussion protocol has significantly improved player safety over the last couple of decades.
The protocol is triggered when a player shows signs of a head injury, either through observable symptoms or self-reporting. At that point, the team’s medical staff and league-hired neurotrauma consultants assess the situation.
For Gonzalez, the process began only after he left the field to seek medical evaluation following a defensive break. Initially marked as “questionable,” he was later deemed “out” based on expert medical judgment.
Implications for the Patriots and Christian Gonzalez
Since entering the concussion protocol, Gonzalez must receive clearance from medical professionals before he can engage in practice or gameplay. Clearance must come from both the Patriots’ medical team and an independent neurological consultant.
The follow-up assessment on Monday aimed to determine if his symptoms had deteriorated. His prior concussion history, particularly the one sustained during the last matchup with the Chargers in December 2024, will also play a role in the recovery timeline.
Gonzalez will follow the NFL’s return-to-participation protocol, which entails five phases, beginning with symptom-limited activities and advancing through various stages of exercise and training until he receives full clearance for team activities.
While the process is clearly defined, the timeline for a return to play is not fixed. This means Gonzalez could potentially return to practice as soon as Wednesday or miss the upcoming divisional game against the Houston Texans, with other possibilities in between.
