Christian Gonzalez back as full practice participant for first time since Aug. 10

The biggest question hanging over Patriots camp got its answer Monday: cornerback Christian Gonzalez is back. New England's top cover man returned to practice and looked to be moving well while participating extensively, per ESPN's Mike Reiss.

It's his first full-participant session since August 10, a two-week gap that had quietly become the most-watched item on the Patriots' injury ledger. Gonzalez had been working back from an undisclosed issue, and head coach Mike Vrabel had only offered that signs were pointing in the right direction before Monday's session made it official.

The timing couldn't be better for a defense preparing to open the season against the Raiders on September 7. Gonzalez is the centerpiece of a rebuilt secondary, and getting him two full weeks of work — including whatever joint-practice intensity New England schedules this week — gives the staff time to rebuild his game rhythm before the games count.

New England still has a lengthy list of players banged up from Saturday's game against the Eagles — safety Craig Woodson, running back Lan Larison, linebacker Khalil Jacobs and offensive tackle Marcus Bryant were among those absent Monday, along with punter Bryce Baringer, whose injury prompted the signing of veteran Matt Haack.