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As the Patriots head into training camp, all eyes will be on the health of Rob Gronkowski and his road to recovery.
Well, we'll have to wait a little bit longer.
Rob Gronkowski will start training cam on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, according to Jeff Howe. This means that Gronk will be unable to participate until he is removed from the list. Typically, players whose health is still in question will be placed on the PUP and will remain there until either a) they're fully healthy and reactivated or b) the season hits Week 6 and the team is forced to either activate the player over the next three weeks or sit them out the rest of the season.
This shouldn't come as a surprise as Gronk continues to rehab. Should there be any more setbacks, Gronk would need the extra time to recover. Once a player is removed from the PUP, they can't be added back so this move makes sense for Gronk to return early in the season (if not before).
Additional moves, per Aaron Wilson:
WR Mark Harrison, DB Kanorris Davis, IL Matt Stankiewitch all placed on Non-Football Injury list. Harrison is a prime candidate for the Foxborough Flu as he gets stashed away and brought back as a weapon next year. He broke his foot during his Pro Day prior to the draft and continues to recover.
DL Armond Armstead is added to the Non-Football Illness list. Armstead is needed to be an effective depth piece this season at defensive tackle and will likely make an appearance once he gets healthy.
TE Jake Ballard, WR Julian Edelman, OL Nick McDonald all added to the PUP list, alongside Gronk. Ballard continues to recover from his torn ACL and needs to build up some flexibility in his leg. Edelman broke his foot in May and needs to make a speedy recovery. McDonald's injury is unknown and he's fighting for one of the last two lineman spots on the roster.
FA WR Laurent Robinson will try out for the Patriots. He was a productive #3 in Dallas before cashing in with the Jaguars for one season (that was cut short due to concussions). At 6'2, 195 lbs, Robinson would add more size to the outside and could push some of the younger players for time.
Per Mike Reiss, Rookie FA DT Anthony Rashad White signs with the Patriots to be the 90th player on the roster. White is 6'0, 335 lbs wasn't a star in college, but the Patriots need bodies. White is at the bottom of the defensive tackle pecking order and will be hard fought to make noise in camp.