Rob Gronkowski Injury: James Andrew will make final decision
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) reacts after his touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts during the first quarter at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Indianapolis Colts 59-24. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
New England Patriots star TE Rob Gronkowski is tentatively expected to make his 2013 season debut against the New Orleans Saints in Week 6, but the final decision will be made by the famed Dr. James Andrews, per a source close to Pro Football Talk. Rob Gronkowski has been health enough to be able to play in a game since Week 3, which was the initial expected return date for the Patriots elite tight end. However, both Gronkowski and the Patriots want to ensure that Gronk is beyond-all-doubts, 100% healthy to play, because they don’t want to end up seeing their star player injured, perhaps even jeopardizing his career. Not only is Gronk’s camp exercising extreme caution, but the Patriots organization is also making sure that health is of paramount importance.
That’s why James Andrew will be making the “final call”, so PFT adds that it isn’t “a lock” that we’ll see Gronkowski on Sunday. But he’s expected to play, so him missing the game would be a mild surprise from this view. Ever since new information was released that both the Patriots and Rob Gronkowski wanted to take things slow, the new likely date for Gronkowski’s return was tabbed as Week 6.
The Patriots played a miserable game on offense against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, and they are not going to beat the Saints high-powered passing attack led by Drew Brees and his ridiculous load of weapons with just six points. Rob Gronkowski is just what the doctor ordered for this New England Patriots offense, but the Patriots aren’t going to put Gronk’s health at even the slightest risk just to play him. I will not hide that I clearly expect him to play, but he’s also definitely not a lock. It’s all up to Andrews, so we’ll see what happens on Sunday afternoon.
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