When Christian Gonzalez exited the Patriots' July 28 training camp practice with a left hamstring injury, the expectation was that he'd be sidelined for a few weeks but be back on the field for New England's season opener against the Las Vegas Raiders.

But that season opener is now just five days away, and Gonzalez still hasn't even returned to practice. And while head coach Mike Vrabel said Tuesday he hopes Gonzalez will practice at some point this week, the star cornerback's status for Week 1 appears in serious jeopardy.

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Gonzalez is the Patriots' top cornerback and arguably their best defender, so not having him against a Raiders offense that features Jakobi Meyers, Amari Cooper and talented tight end Brock B

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