Patriots Gridiron News: Martellus Bennett Ready to Fill in for Gronkowski

The New England Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett may have to take on a starring role in the offense if Rob Gronkowski is unable to go Sunday.

He did it before and he is ready to do it again. New England Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett may have to take on the role of the primary tight end in the offense if Rob Gronkowski is unable to go.

Speaking to the media following a reading to 27 first- and second- graders as part of the Read to a Child program, Bennett was asked about the other half of the dynamic duo.

"“I don’t know, I haven’t talked to him about that yet,” Bennett said via the Boston Herald. “He finished the game. I’ll see him tomorrow and see how he’s doing. I give guys the day off. You get not only a day off from work, but sometimes you need a day off from your co-workers.”"

Bennett was the primary tight end in the first two games without Gronkowski. He had eight catches for 128 yards and a touchdown in those games. But once Tom Brady returned, Bennett became the secondary tight end target. In fact, he watched Gronkowski explode for 24 catches and 529 yards during Brady’s first month back.

Although Gronk became Brady’s main target, Bennett was still effective until he was hampered by an ankle injury in the last three games leading up to the bye week. The ankle seems better just in time. In Sunday’s 31-24 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, Bennett had seven catches for 102 yards.