FOXBORO, Mass. — New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski was conspicuously absent for the start of mandatory minicamp Tuesday.
Gronkowski was one of 13 players not spotted at Patriots minicamp. Wide receivers Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola, cornerback Logan Ryan, running backs LeGarrette Blount and Dion Lewis, safeties Duron Harmon and Nate Ebner and offensive linemen Tre’ Jackson, Josh Kline, Shaq Mason, Sebastian Vollmer and Nate Solder also were absent for the minicamp session.
“There are a lot of players that were not on the field,” Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said when asked about Gronkowski. “They were doing other things.”
Cornerback Malcolm Butler, long snapper Joe Cardona and defensive tackles Frank Kearse and Alan Branch weren’t on the field for the Patriots’ first organized team activities session open to the media two weeks ago. All four were on the field Tuesday.
Thumbnail photo via Winslow Townson/USA TODAY Sports Images
