Patriots $54 Million Addition Breaks Silence on Mystery Injury

The hope in New England is that the team will open the 2025 season with an offense that still has some question marks but with a defense that can rank among the best in the conference.  The Patriots spent lavishly to fill holes on the defensive side, starting with the $108 million given to lineman Milton Williams, but also brought in pass-rusher Harold Landry, linebacker Robert Spillane and–in one of the team’s biggest expenditures–cornerback Carlton Davis.

With fellow corner Christian Gonzalez, the hope was that the Patriots would have  a star tandem at the corners, backed u0p by impressive depth.

Gonzalez has been out for much of training camp with a hamstring injury, though. He is expected to be back for Week 1.

Davis, however, has also missed significant time with injuries, sometimes floating into view at practice, then floating off. On Wednesday at joint practice in Minnesota, Davis took questions from the media. While he finally spoke out his injury, he still managed to provide few real answers.

Carlton Davis: ‘I’m Ready to Play Right Now’

Here’s how Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald sized up Davis’s time at the podium:

“Carlton Davis says he’s ‘good,’ as he continues to return from an injury that’s kept him out of most training camp practices. He didn’t disclose what the injury is. Says he wants to be ‘smart and not have any setbacks.’”

Taylor Kyles of CLNS noted:

“Carlton Davis says the emphasis today was being physical, playing the #Patriots brand of football, and keeping the standard Davis participated during team periods after missing earlier parts of practice.”

And from Phil Perry of NBC Sports Boston:

“Carlton Davis declines to share what his physical issue is, but he’s feeling good about being able to be fully ready when it matters. He was limited today but did take part in some of the team periods. ‘I’m really excited about the new Patriots. We’re meshing together.’”

Asked about playing in Week 1, Davis said, ““Hell yeah. I’m ready to play right now.”

Patriots Remain Nonommittal

Before the Patriots’ joint practice with the Vikings, coach Mike Vrabel addressed Davis’ situation. The team is being decidedly vague with the status of a player who got a three-year, $54 million contract in the offseason but has been seldom seen in camp.

Vrabel was asked if he expects Davis to be ready to start the year.

“That’s a ways away,” he said. “I anticipate he’ll be practicing today. That’s what I try to focus on is what we’re going to do today and what the players are going to do today. So, to speculate about where he’s going to be Week 1, I’m not going to do that with anybody. I’m going to focus on today, and I’m excited to see him get back out there and continue to work and build back towards that potential start of the season.”