Patriots Cornerback Returns Sunday

Carlton Davis III missed five games this season due to neck injuries. He will suit up Sunday against the Miami Dolphins in Foxboro. This marks his first appearance since Week 4.

The cornerback suffered a neck injury in Week 1 against the Seattle Seahawks. He sat out Week 2 and returned for Weeks 3 and 4. A second injury forced him to miss Weeks 5 through 7.

Davis said he aimed to play every game this year, mirroring his schedule last year. He expressed disappointment at the absence but confirmed he is ready to play. “I’m back here, and I’m ready to go,” Davis stated.

This will be the first matchup where the Patriots have their complete secondary since Week 1. Safety Craig Woodson missed Week 3. Cornerback Christian Gonzalez missed Weeks 4 and 5. Davis was absent for three straight games before this weekend. Only Marcus Jones and Kevin Byard have started every game this season.

Gonzalez described Davis’s return as “everything.” He noted that Davis is a veteran he relies on for advice. Gonzalez said Davis has seen a lot of football, making his presence on the field valuable for the group’s cohesion.

The secondary faces a Dolphins team with one of the league’s worst passing offenses. The unit will use the contest to rebuild chemistry after several weeks of absences.