Already without their star quarterback for Week 1, the New England Patriots may now be without their star tight end as well.
According to ProFootballTalk, Rob Gronkowski is still recovering from a hamstring injury suffered in August and says his status is currently “week to week,” implying that his availability for the team’s season opener against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday night remains up in the air.
Unfortunately for fantasy owners of the Pats’ enigmatic player, it’s looking increasingly likely that it will be a game-time decision, especially considering how coach Bill Belichick is notorious for playing these things close to the vest. However, it does open the door to more playing time for free agent pickup Martellus Bennett, who is just two years removed from a 90 reception, 916-yard season with the Chicago Bears.
Gronkowski has missed 16 games due to injuries since 2012 and hasn’t played in preseason games for several years now for precautionary reasons. His latest issue stems from an incident at a team practice in mid-August. He has not participated in team drills since.
Entering his seventh season in the league and already widely considered one of the league’s best ever receiving tight ends, Gronk is coming off yet another dominant campaign in 2015, when he caught 72 balls for 1,176 yards to go along with 11 receiving touchdowns.
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This is just another challenge for a New England franchise that seems to thrive on them. The team will already be without future Hall of Fame QB Tom Brady as he serves a four-game suspension. Third-year signal caller Jimmy Garropolo will take his place and make his first career start against the Cardinals. Even so, the team remains a Super Bowl favorite for many prognosticators this season.