Rob Gronkowski says he's not 100 percent, Sunday status in question
The New England Patriots will already be without their best offensive player – Tom Brady – on Sunday night against the Arizona Cardinals, and there’s a chance they’ll be short an All-Pro tight end, too.
Rob Gronkowski is battling a hamstring injury that kept him out of practice from Aug. 15 until recently, when he returned on a limited basis. Gronkowski was asked about the injury Thursday and acknowledged that he’s not 100 percent healthy.
Gronkowski declined to put a percentage on his health but did say he’s “feeling better every day.”
Video: Rob Gronkowski acknowledges he isn't 100 percent after injuring hamstring Aug. 15. pic.twitter.com/RYhjdDBSFx
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) September 8, 2016
He isn’t certain to be on the field against the Cardinals, though he does expect to play.
"Yeah, it boils to a coaching decision, the medical team, and myself. We'll all get together and collaborate and see where I'm at,” Gronkowski said.
If the Patriots are forced to go without Gronk on Sunday night, Martellus Bennett will step into the starting lineup as the No. 1 tight end. With quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo making his first career start, he could certainly use a reliable target like Gronk running up the seam, but the tight end's long-term health is far more important.
