New England Patriots cornerback Carlton Davis III took a notable step forward on Saturday by participating in his first full practice in more than two weeks, yet the session also underscored that his recovery remains a work in progress.
Coming off a hamstring injury that first surfaced in late July, Davis found himself targeted repeatedly during team drills and ultimately surrendered four touchdowns.
The scores came against a mix of receivers and a tight end. Romeo Doubs, Mack Hollins, A.J. Brown, and Hunter Henry each found the end zone while matched up with the veteran defensive back.
For a player expected to lock down one of the starting outside corner roles, the afternoon offered a tough reminder of the physical demands still ahead.
Davis himself acknowledged the ongoing process. He confirmed he had spent considerable time in rehabilitation after the hamstring issue and admitted he is still working to regain full strength and explosiveness in his legs.
The injury had limited him significantly, causing him to miss the team’s preseason opener against the Indianapolis Colts earlier in the week. Limited returns to practice had begun earlier, but Saturday marked the first time he handled a complete workload.
At a position that requires constant bursts, sharp cuts, and the ability to recover quickly, some rust was almost inevitable after an extended absence. The Patriots signed Davis to a substantial three-year contract in March 2025, a deal originally reported in the range of $60 million.
He responded with a solid 2025 campaign that included 69 tackles and 10 passes defensed. His postseason contributions stood out even more, highlighted by two interceptions against Houston in a divisional-round victory that helped propel New England toward Super Bowl LX.
Davis’s return carries extra weight because fellow cornerback Christian Gonzalez remains unavailable. Head coach Mike Vrabel indicated Saturday that Gonzalez continues conditioning work and would not practice while recovering from his own injury.
Gonzalez also missed the preseason contest against Indianapolis, leaving the secondary thinner than preferred as the team prepares for joint practices with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Having Davis available again provides the defense with a proven starting-caliber option on the outside. The competitive look he faced Saturday, featuring Brown’s physical presence along with the size of Doubs and Hollins and Henry’s red-zone threat, offered a meaningful test.
Completing a full practice after more than two weeks away represents meaningful progress for both the player and the Patriots.
How quickly Davis’s legs respond in the coming sessions will offer a clearer picture of the secondary’s readiness as the regular season approaches.
