Patriots CB Christian Gonzalez (shoulder) says he's 'healthy' but uncertain of return to practice

There was plenty of calamity to go around in the New England Patriots' 2023 season.

Offensive ineptitude and the impending conclusion to the Bill Belichick era garnered the majority of the headlines, but cornerback Christian Gonzalez emerging as an AP Defensive Rookie of the Year contender only to be lost for the season with a shoulder injury certainly played a big role in the Pats limping to a four-win campaign.

Gonzalez deemed himself "healthy" and "ready" on Tuesday when speaking to reporters, but would not confirm a return date for practicing or declare himself 100 percent.

"I'm focused on getting better and what I gotta do," Gonzalez said when asked if he'd be a full participant for organized team activities later in May. "And rehabbing and practicing. That's kinda out of my control."

Pressed further on whether he was 100-percent healthy and ready to hit the field, the 2023 first-round pick remarked that that was not a question he could answer.

"I can't give you that answer," Gonzalez said. "I'm not the doctor, I don't know. I'm listening to what they tell me to do."

And so it would seem that Gonzalez, despite an easy smile and optimistic wording, isn't set for a return to the field just yet.

The Oregon product was a rather instant success for the Patriots defense. Starting in each of the Pats' first four games, Gonzalez garnered an overall PFF grade of 80.8, accounting himself well across the board -- coverage, run defense and pass rush.

The promising start was stopped in Week 4 when he suffered a torn labrum.

As spring has sprung, Gonzalez is focused on getting his shoulder -- and overall game -- better.

"I'm good. Healthy, excited to go," he said. "Focused on just getting better, coming in every day and just keep getting