Julian Edelman, Rob Gronkowski active for Patriots vs Chiefs

Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman are both listed as active for the New England Patriots against the Kansas City Chiefs. 

The New England Patriots are arguably the healthiest they have been all season after getting a first round bye in this year’s playoffs. The Patriots are at home to take on the fifth-seeded Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday, and questions loomed all week to whether or not Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman would be able to play. Both teams submitted their injury report 90 minutes before kickoff, per usual, and both Gronkowski and Edelman were listed as questionable.

The Patriots have been notorious for keeping their injuries undisclosed from the media, and the team only releases a list before games because it is required by the league.

Edelman hasn’t played since Week 10, which hurt the Patriots offensively. Edelman is Tom Brady’s go-to guy in short yardage situations because he is one of the most sure-handed wide receivers in the league. Edelman’s presence will give Brady someone to dump the ball off to quickly if nothing is open against a stingy Kansas City secondary. He will definitely get double-digit targets, as long as he is able to cut and make elusive moves on his injured foot.

Gronkowski came back from Florida after the bye week, and he did not practice early in the week due to an undisclosed injury. New England never released a statement on how Gronkowski hurt himself but, per reports, he looks ready to go against the Chiefs. Gronkowski is potentially the most pivotal piece in the Patriots system because he provides a mismatch against any secondary he goes up against. Gronkowski will be Brady’s go-to target when the Patriots get inside the 20-yard line.