Rob Gronkowski did not make the trip with the New England Patriots and is highly unlikely to play against the Arizona Cardinals.
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The Pats’ All-Pro tight end initially injured the hamstring almost a month ago, in an August 15 practice at Patriots camp, when he pulled up lame during a passing drill.
In his career, the 27-year-old Gronkowski has only appeared in all 16 regular season games one time and that was the year they won a Super Bowl. His top wide receivers are either rusty (Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola), or nicked up (Chris Hogan, Malcolm Mitchell).
The Arizona Cardinals are coming from a 38-7 win over the Denver Broncos last week in a preseason game.
The Patriots also retained four tight ends for a reason. While team doctors do not anticipate this current injury would cause him to lose almost as much playing time, it is unfortunate not only for the quality of Sunday’s game but also for all the Wildcats-Cardinals fans who had hoped to see him play.
This may not be the first game of the week nor the last but, given how highly regarded both rosters are, it would surprise nobody if this turns into one of the best games of the year given who’s involved.
That trio will join quarterback Tom Brady (suspended), running back Dion Lewis (knee), right tackle Sebastian Vollmer (everything), and edge defender Rob Ninkovich (suspended) as starters that will not be taking the field. They will be at full strength offensively and defensively, facing a depleted Patriots roster.
The Patriots have one of the league’s best No. 2 tight ends in Martellus Bennet, who will be making his debut with the team.
New England lost at Denver in the Patriots’ sixth straight AFC championship game, Arizona was blown out at Carolina in the Cardinals’ second appearance ever in the NFC title contest.
The Patriots have announced that Gronkowski has been officially downgraded to out after not accompanying the team to Arizona. “Jamaal is probably not going to play”.
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“I can do anything and everything I’m asked”, Watt said. The Pats are set to take on the Cardinals at 8:30 p.m. E.T. Sunday night.
