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Patriots Tight End Rob Gronkowski ‘Not a Lock’ For Season Opener

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

Jul 30, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; Water drips from the face of New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 30, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; Water drips from the face of New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Limited by a hamstring injury, tight end Rob Gronkowski told reporters Thursday that he is not 100 percent. The New England Patriots could be without the star playmaker for the season opener against the Arizona Cardinals.

The New England Patriots will not only enter the 2016-17 NFL season without Tom Brady, they may have to go without top NFL tight end Rob Gronkowski. The recently voted team captain told reporters on Thursday that he is ‘not 100 percent’ due to a hamstring injury suffered during a joint practice with the Chicago Bears in mid-August.

Gronkowski, who didn’t play a single game in the preseason, has been limited since the injury. His return to practice earlier this week was an indication that he may be back on tract.

But, as NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported, it’s “no sure thing” that the NFL’s best tight end will be on the field when Sunday Night Football makes its premiere.

According to Gronkowski, he is “week to week” and his availability for the prime time matchup will be left up to the coaching staff:

“It boils down to a coach’s decision, the medical team and myself. We’ll all get together, collaborate and see where I’m at… I want to be out there so bad.  Especially to help out the team. It’s super big, and I’m just doing the best I can.”

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Now, the news doesn’t bode well for Patriots fans or fantasy football owners, but the Patriots as a team are always more concerned about the big picture when it comes to Gronkowski’s health. It could be a reason why the team has held the All-Pro tight end back throughout the preseason. The lingering injury may also be a reason why the team decided to go with four tight ends on the 53-man roster.

If Gronkowski is not ready to go, expect Martellus Bennett to be featured more in the offense. Tight ends A.J. Derby and Clay Harbor may also see increased roles, as the team will rely on the running game and short passing game with Jimmy Garoppolo making his first start.

The Patriots will not only be without Brady and possibly Gronkowski, they will also be without pass-catching running back Dion Lewis. Wide receivers Danny Amendola and Julian Edelman also enter the game with health concerns.

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.

Next: On To Arizona: Will Garoppolo Be Ready to Lead Patriots?

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