New England Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski is expected to play against the Jets according to both NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and ESPN’s Adam Schefter. QB Tom Brady, TE Martellus Bennett, WR Chris Hogan, and WR Julian Edelman are all expected to play, too. All these players were listed as questionable on the final injury report.
Gronkowski was not expected to play earlier this week as the team was “prepping the offense without him,” but he “made a lot of progress” on Thursday and Friday and was upgraded to a gametime decision. Gronkowski flew with the team to New York, which was a major indicator that he would be ready to play; he was not allowed to fly in week 12 due to his chest injury.
Gronkowski “had bleeding and bruising in his chest” after taking a serious hit against the Seahawks. Here is an inside look at Gronkowski’s meeting with the team doctors:
Gronkowski’s availability changes the offense and will elevate it to new heights, especially as QB Tom Brady is expected to play:
Patriots QB Tom Brady has swelling and soreness in his knee, but will play Sunday vs Jets, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 27, 2016
As are the other starters listed as questionable on the injury report:
Three Patriots listed as questionable – Martellus Bennett, Julian Edelman, Chris Hogan – all are expected to play vs. Jets, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 27, 2016
While the Patriots won’t be playing with a fully healthy offense, this will be the first glimpse of the offense with Brady, Gronkowski, Bennett, Edelman, Hogan, and RB Dion Lewis. Get ready.
CB Cyrus Jones has been declared OUT due to his illness.