New England Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski has been an active participant in the team’s offseason and minicamp activities and he hasn’t appeared to have any limitations. Gronkowski gave an injury update when he spoke with the media after Tuesday’s practice.
“[Practice] was rainy,” Gronkowski said. “It was windy. It was wet. It’s all part of the game. Whatever the conditions are you’ve got to go out there and compete and play.”
“I’m 100 percent,” Gronkowski added. “Good to go.”
Gronkowski suffered a serious back injury in the middle of the 2016 that forced him to undergo the third back surgery of his career. He started to appear in promotional events this offseason, indicating that he was close to a return, and it seems like he’s back to 100% well before the 2017 season- and Gronkowski never questioned his return.
“Definitely no doubts [about returning to full health],” Gronkowski said. “I just know that all the hard work you put in is what you’re going to get out of it. I love to put in the work. [I] love the challenge sometimes. It is what it was and now I’m good to go.”
We shouldn’t expect Gronkowski to participate in the preseason (he never does), but perhaps we’ll get a full season of Gronkowski without any limitations.
Gronkowski also addressed his new contract that gives him a chance to make the most money of any tight end in the 2017 season if he plays at an All Pro level.
“I’m definitely very thankful for the opportunity that the Patriots organization has [given] me,” Gronkowski said. “I just have to keep working hard and do what’s best for the team and do what’s best for myself to help out the team in every way possible.”