ROB GRONKOWSKI WAS a training camp spectator last summer while recovering from surgery.
This summer, after another operation, the New England Patriots star tight end is expected to be on the field for the first practice today.
“He’s been cleared to play,” coach Bill Belichick said yesterday.
That’s welcome news to his teammates after a season in which Gronkowski played just seven regular-season games. He missed the first six following back surgery about a month before camp and the last three, plus both playoff games, with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.
“We were all hoping Gronk would have a good recovery and so far he has,” Patriots left guard Logan Mankins said. “We’ll just see where he is, how good he is right now. It’s great to have him out there.”
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The team could use his sure-handed receiving, powerful blocking and fun-loving personality.
“He’s a tremendous player,” defensive end Rob Ninkovich said. “He’s one of the best guys you could ever meet. He’s a great guy off the field. He’ll say ‘hi’ to anybody. He’ll do anything for you.”
Gronkowski stayed healthy his first two seasons after the Patriots drafted him out of Arizona in the second round in 2010. He played all 32 regular-season games with 132 receptions and 27 touchdown catches.
But while blocking for an extra point in the 11th game of 2012, a 59-24 win over the Indianapolis Colts, he broke his left forearm. That injury ended a season in which he had 55 catches for 11 touchdowns and was chosen for his second consecutive Pro Bowl even though he couldn’t play.
AP
AP
He had four forearm surgeries and a back operation. He watched training camp practices from the sideline, often wearing a T-shirt and shorts. His first practice in pads came last Sept. 1, seven days before the season opener.
After missing the first six games, he led all NFL tight ends in the next six with 37 catches and 560 yards receiving.
But his second reception in the next game was his last of the season. Safety TJ Ward knocked him down with a hit to the right knee in a 27-26 win over the Cleveland Browns in Foxborough on 8 December.
Gronkowski was driven off the field on a cart. He underwent surgery in January.
Less than seven months later, is there anything the Patriots can do to better protect him?
“The health of the team is the most important thing that we have,” Belichick said. “We always try to do everything we can to help all the players stay healthy and stay on the field. We do that for everybody, every single guy. It’s a consideration for all them. Certainly Rob, but everybody.”
Good news, Patriots fans... the Gronk is fit for training camp
ROB GRONKOWSKI WAS a training camp spectator last summer while recovering from surgery.
This summer, after another operation, the New England Patriots star tight end is expected to be on the field for the first practice today.
“He’s been cleared to play,” coach Bill Belichick said yesterday.
That’s welcome news to his teammates after a season in which Gronkowski played just seven regular-season games. He missed the first six following back surgery about a month before camp and the last three, plus both playoff games, with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.
“We were all hoping Gronk would have a good recovery and so far he has,” Patriots left guard Logan Mankins said. “We’ll just see where he is, how good he is right now. It’s great to have him out there.”
The team could use his sure-handed receiving, powerful blocking and fun-loving personality.
“He’s a tremendous player,” defensive end Rob Ninkovich said. “He’s one of the best guys you could ever meet. He’s a great guy off the field. He’ll say ‘hi’ to anybody. He’ll do anything for you.”
Gronkowski stayed healthy his first two seasons after the Patriots drafted him out of Arizona in the second round in 2010. He played all 32 regular-season games with 132 receptions and 27 touchdown catches.
But while blocking for an extra point in the 11th game of 2012, a 59-24 win over the Indianapolis Colts, he broke his left forearm. That injury ended a season in which he had 55 catches for 11 touchdowns and was chosen for his second consecutive Pro Bowl even though he couldn’t play.
He had four forearm surgeries and a back operation. He watched training camp practices from the sideline, often wearing a T-shirt and shorts. His first practice in pads came last Sept. 1, seven days before the season opener.
After missing the first six games, he led all NFL tight ends in the next six with 37 catches and 560 yards receiving.
But his second reception in the next game was his last of the season. Safety TJ Ward knocked him down with a hit to the right knee in a 27-26 win over the Cleveland Browns in Foxborough on 8 December.
Gronkowski was driven off the field on a cart. He underwent surgery in January.
Less than seven months later, is there anything the Patriots can do to better protect him?
“The health of the team is the most important thing that we have,” Belichick said. “We always try to do everything we can to help all the players stay healthy and stay on the field. We do that for everybody, every single guy. It’s a consideration for all them. Certainly Rob, but everybody.”
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Bill Belichick New England Patriots NFL Rob Gronkowski