It’s go time for Gronk.
ProFootballTalk.com reported Sunday morning that New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski will return to game action against the Miami Dolphins in the season opener.
According to the PFT report, a league source indicated the tight end will play on a limited basis.
It makes sense, of course, to limit Gronkowski’s workload. The hulking tight end hasn’t played since Dec. 8, 2013, when he suffered a torn ACL and MCL against the Cleveland Browns. He also was held out of all four preseason games, so the fact that the Patriots reportedly will ease him into the mix isn’t a huge surprise.
Gronkowski declared himself ready to go earlier this week before Patriots head coach Bill Belichick quickly slowed down that talk by saying the decision would be made by the coaching staff. Gronkowski was listed as questionable on the Patriots’ final injury report of the week.
Having Gronkowski back in the lineup is big in more ways than one for the Patriots. He’s one of the NFL’s top red-zone targets, and he’s also among the best run-blockers at his position.
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Photo via Stew Milne/USA TODAY Sports Images
