First-round pick Christian Gonzalez played 25 defensive snaps in his New England Patriots preseason debut Thursday night. It took him just one snap for his “Welcome to the NFL” moment.
On the first play from scrimmage, Texans’ quarterback C.J. Stroud hit wide receiver Nico Collins out left. The 6-foot-4 receiver quickly lowered his right shoulder into Gonzalez, knocking the rookie backwards several yards.
“We talked about that first tackle that he had on the sideline. He told me it woke him up a little bit, but he said he needed that,” fellow defensive back Jalen Mills said.