While there was no word on how seriously Christian Gonzalez was injured, it was a reminder how fast the walls can crumble if a Patriots star goes down.

The Patriots now won't have Wilkins on their Week 1 schedule. They did see the Springfield, Mass. native a significant amount during his first five NFL seasons when he was with the Miami Dolphins. That includes a nine-sack year in 2023, his last fully healthy season.

When Stefon Diggs stepped onto the New England Patriots practice field for his first training camp session, nobody, not even Diggs himself, expected the elite receiver would be showcasing his route-running skills against a four-legged opponent.

The third-year quarterback will undergo surgery on July 29 for an injury originally sustained against Miami in October 2024.

Notes and thoughts on the Patriots’ training camp, replacing a longtime veteran, free agent Christian Wilkins, and more.

One of the bright spots for the Patriots is the 2025 schedule, viewed by many analysts as one of the easiest in the league. The team faces opponents with a combined .429 winning percentage from 2024 and opens with three home games out of the first four, providing an opportunity to build momentum early.

Drake Maye went 8-of-9 in team periods, despite a difficult day of pass protection. Stefon Diggs showed zero rust coming off an ACL tear, and a rookie receiver matched him with two catches. A little-known cornerback reeled in the first interception of the summer.

Patriots opponents combined for a .429 win percentage in 2024, and even though the team finished with a 4-13 record, DraftKings Sportsbook has New England favored in 11 of 17 games next season.