The Patriots would certainly benefit from Christian Gonzalez returning to the lineup. Might that be a possibility for New England’s Week 3 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers?

“There’s a chance,” coach Mike Vrabel said on WEEI on Monday .

Gonzalez has been sidelined since July with a hamstring injury that has kept him out of practice. The All-Pro cornerback would add a boost to New England’s defense that has felt his absence all season.

Alex Austin has been filing in for Gonzalez, but the Miami Dolphins exposed him several times in New England’s Week 2 win , including allowing a 47-yard touchdown pass to Tyreek Hill.

New England has also relied on Marcus Jones and Carlton Davis .

In the Patriots’ first matchup with the Dolphins last season, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa we

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