Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski hasn’t played in the first two weeks of the season because of a hamstring injury and said earlier this week that he is feeling better.
Gronkowski also said that it is a “coach’s decision” whether he makes his 2016 debut, but it appears he knows what the choice would be if it was up to him. Or, perhaps, which way the coaching staff is leaning.
Ben Volin of the Boston Globe reports that Gronkowski has told teammates this week that he plans to play against the Texans in Thursday night’s game at Gillette Stadium. Gronkowski was listed as questionable on the team’s final injury report of the week.
Martellus Bennett had a productive game as a receiver in Week Two, but no one would argue that the Patriots offense will be in better shape with Gronkowski in the lineup. That’s true when Tom Brady is at quarterback and it would certainly be true if, as expected, Jacoby Brissett is making his first NFL start against Houston.