Rob Gronkowski is still recovering after undergoing surgery for a torn ACL on Jan. 9, but he says he plans on playing in the New England Patriots’ season opener on Sept. 7 against the Miami Dolphins.
That’s good news for Patriots fans, as Gronk had 39 catches for 592 receiving yards and four touchdowns in just seven games last season.
What’s even better news? Gronk plans on staying healthy for the whole season, something he hasn’t done since 2011.
“I’m planning on playing the whole season this year,” Gronkowski said Friday night during his Football 101 Women’s Clinic at a local high school, via ESPN.
Gronkowski played in all 16 games during his first two seasons in the NFL before playing 11 games in 2012, then just seven in 2013.
“I’m always antsy to get back on the field, no matter when it is,” Gronkowski said. “I just want to play football. I love playing the game.”
For all his optimism, the 25-year-old tight end wasn’t ready to give a definitive answer on his status for training camp, which begins July 24.
“I don’t know yet until I report, so I’ll sit down with the coaches and training staff and we’ll see,” he said. “I’m just working with the trainers right now, improving every single day and whenever it starts up, whatever the trainers have, whatever the coaches have for me, whatever we feel comfortable with (we’ll be) doing as much as possible every day that I can do.”
