The Patriots’ starting secondary — with Christian Gonzalez, Marcus Jones and Carlton Davis at corner, and with Kevin Byard and Craig Woodson at safety — just might be the best unit in the NFL.
The Patriots’ backups at those positions? They’re a bit of a collective question mark. And that’s being polite.
It was a known issue on the roster heading into the season, but it’s going to be tested earlier than expected, with Carlton Davis questionable to play in Sunday’s Week 2 game against the Steelers due to a neck injury.
Davis played the second-most snaps of anyone on the Patriots last year, as he was on the field for 90.9 percent of the team’s defensive snaps. He took all but one snap in the season opener.
Davis, a 29-year-old veteran in his ninth season, will be a significant absence for the Patriots if he’s unable to suit up and/or play the whole game.
The absence could be offset somewhat if Steelers receiver Michael Pittman Jr., who’s listed as questionable with a foot injury, doesn’t play. But if the Steelers have their full complement of starters Pittman, DK Metcalf and Roman Wilson, the work on the outside is going to fall onto the shoulders of one or some of the following players.
Charles Woods
Charles Woods. Photo: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
The 26-year-old represents the most experienced cornerback on the active roster who could fill in for Davis, as he entered the league as an undrafted rookie in 2024 with the Rams, working almost exclusively on special teams. He signed with the Patriots in 2025, working primarily on special teams but taking 117 defensive snaps.
Woods appeared to be in line to be the top backup on the depth chart this summer, but his work in the preseason finale was, in a word, terrible. Whether or not that carried much weight with the coaching staff will be seen in his usage — or lack thereof — against the Steelers. (Woods was used for the one snap that Davis missed in Seattle, which likely indicates he’ll be first up on Sunday.)
Karon Prunty
Ryan Provencher-NBC Sports Boston
Ryan Provencher-NBC Sports Boston Karon Prunty. Photo: Ryan Provencher-NBC Sports Boston
A fifth-round pick out of Wake Forest, Prunty brings the most size to the position among the backups at 6-foot-1. He looked capable in the preseason, allowing just four receptions in his three games, though that of course didn’t involve any starting receivers on the other side.
Prunty is inexperienced at the NFL level (he was inactive last week), but he is 25 years old, having played six seasons in college (one at Wake Forest, one at Kansas, four at North Carolina A&T). He was considered a bit of a reach pick, even in the fifth round at No. 171 overall, but he’ll likely get his first chance to try to prove his doubters wrong on Sunday.
Channing Canada
Ryan Provencher-NBC Sports Boston
Ryan Provencher-NBC Sports Boston Channing Canada. Photo: Ryan Provencher-NBC Sports Boston
Sometimes, the Patriots have an undrafted rookie in camp who wins over the fan base and easily proves he’s worthy of a roster spot. Other times, someone like Channing Canada makes the squad by default.
The 24-year-old Canada played three seasons at TCU, where he recorded two interceptions (one each in his junior and senior seasons).
Canada was active over Prunty last week, and he was on the field for 11 special teams snaps. The coaching staff could make a swap there if they envision they’ll need more defensive snaps from Prunty, but don’t be surprised to see Canada in over Prunty.
Kindle Vildor
Ryan Provencher-NBC Sports Boston
Ryan Provencher-NBC Sports Boston Kindle Vildor. Photo: Ryan Provencher-NBC Sports Boston
For whatever reason, the most experienced backup at corner is on the practice squad, as Kindle Vildor is in his seventh NFL season after he was drafted by the Bears in the fifth round of the 2020 draft.
Vildor played three seasons for the Bears, working as a full-time starter in the latter two years. He was buried on the depth chart in Tennessee in 2023 before landing with the Lions later that year. He stayed in Detroit for the 2024 season, playing all 17 games, before playing for the Buccaneers last season.
Vildor has two interceptions and 18 passes defensed in 80 regular-season games, and he has five games of playoff experience. He had an interception against the Colts and defensed two passes against the Eagles this year in the preseason.
The Patriots used their two practice squad elevations on punter Mitch Wisnowsky and running back Lan Larison last week. With TreVeyon Henderson healthy and ready in the backfield, Vildor is a likely candidate to be elevated for Week 2.
