New England Patriots will carry TE Rob Gronkowski on 53-man roster

Dec 30, 2012; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /

The New England Patriots have decided to place tight end Rob Gronkowski on their 53 man roster to start the season. The Patriots could’ve placed Gronkowski on the physically unable to perform list, that would’ve held him out till after the sixth week of the NFL season. That means one of two things.

One, that the Patriots and Gronkowski are feeling strongly about his recovery from his injury and that he won’t need to miss that much time.

Or two, that they are short handed in the receivers for quarterback Tom Brady time and they might need to get him on the field sooner than they’d like to. When the Patriots start the season it will be with out last season’s 5 leading receivers. Of those 5, Gronkowski is the only one that is still even on the roster.

The Patriots have acquired wide receiver Danny Amendola via free agency, but he has had durability issues.

Patriots will carry TE Rob Gronkowski on their 53-man roster and not place him on PUP, per league sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 31, 2013

Home/New England Patriots