New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is expected to be cleared this week and will likely suit up in Week 6, according to a report from Pro Football Talk. Citing a league course, PFT reports that Gronkowski will likely play on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints.
Rob Gronkowski expected to play for Patriots vs. Saints
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski could make his season debut on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints, according to a report.
Gronkowski has been recovering from offseason back and forearm surgeries, and the past few weeks have been filled with the "will he or won't he play" drama. His status for Week 5 was in question up until Saturday, when the team traveled to Cincinnati to take on the Bengals, and Gronkowski was left behind.
That game ended up a loss for the Patriots, their first of the season. Given quarterback Tom Brady’s numbers, and the numbers of his receivers, it’s a wonder that the team hasn’t lost more games, as it happens. Brady has completed just 111 of 196 passes, a completion percentage of 56.6. That’s on track for his lowest ever.
Julian Edelman has been a reliable receiver, but Kenbrell Thompkins is his No. 2, and that's ... really not a good sign, at this point. Thompkins has only caught 18 of the 43 passes to go in his direction, for 273 yards and three touchdowns.
New England did recently get Danny Amendola back. If they are able to get Gronkowski back as well, we may see more of what has made the Patriots such a great team in the past few years. It couldn't come at a better time, as they'll be taking on the Saints, one of the top teams in the league. It also presents a matchup of possibly the two best tight ends in football, between Gronkowski and Jimmy Graham.
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