Rob Gronkowski will play Sunday against the Texans, according to ESPN.
THIS JUST IN: Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski will play in tonight's game vs Texans. (via @AdamSchefter & @diannaESPN) pic.twitter.com/Iad08IKX9U
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 13, 2015
The Patriots’ tight end missed last week’s game against the Eagles with a bone bruise and right knee strain he suffered in New England’s November 29th game against the Broncos.
Gronkowski was listed as questionable on this week’s injury report. His back-up, Scott Chandler, will also likely play, according to Adam Schefter. Receiver Julian Edelman will not play Sunday, and receiver Danny Amendola remains questionable.
Gronk’s injury against Denver initially looked like it might cause much more than a one-week absence. The tight end was hit in the knee during the fourth quarter of the Patriots’ loss and rolled around the turf for several minutes before being carted off the field. As it turned out, the damage wasn’t so bad, and it looks like Gronk will come back after only a single week on the sidelines.
#Patriots believed the injury to TE Rob Gronkowski (knee) was a one-week injury deal. This is a good sign that's what it turned out to be.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 13, 2015
Gronkowksi ranks 11th in the NFL in receiving yards (first among tight ends) and sixth in touchdowns (second at his position).
The Patriots and Texans kick off on Sunday Night Football at 8:30 ET. Though the 10-2 Patriots have the best record in the AFC, they’ve lost two consecutive games and go on the road against a 6-6 Texans team fighting for a playoff spot. There’s no question Bill Belichick and Tom Brady will be happy to have their big tight end back.
It looks like New England’s offense could be getting healthy just in time for the stretch run and the playoffs, which must be a scary thought for the rest of the league.