Gronkowski Expected To Be Game-Time Decision Against Cardinals
BOSTON (CBS) -- Rob Gronkowski suffered a hamstring injury back on Aug. 15, but the injury has lingered to the point where it's unclear if the Patriots tight end will even take the field in Sunday night's season opener on the road against the Arizona Cardinals.
A "source close to the situation" told Pro Football Talk late Thursday that Gronkowski is expected to be a game-time decision Sunday night, as the Patriots take on the Cardinals for the first of four games without the suspended Tom Brady. Gronk was limited in Wednesday and Thursday's practices and admitted to reporters that he does not feel "100 percent" and considers his hamstring a "week-to-week" situation.
Friday's injury report will provide the most insight as to Gronkowski's chances of playing Sunday night. He will likely receive a "Questionable" tag, which ranges anywhere from a 50 to 99 percent chance of being active, while "Doubtful" would put his chances anywhere under 50 percent.
Gronk's injury was considered minor when it happened, but hamstrings can linger and hobble players for unusually long times if not healed quickly. Until Gronk's status for the game is official, the mystery surrounding his hamstring will only continue to unnerve Patriots fans and wreak havoc on Gronk's many fantasy owners.