Patriots Owner Robert Kraft Hints At Rob Gronkowski Being Active Vs. Texans

BOSTON (CBS) -- It sounds like Rob Gronkowski will be making his season debut Thursday night against the Texans.

Patriots owner Robert Kraft joined WBZ-TV's Lisa Hughes for a pre-game interview at Gillette Stadium, and was asked if Gronkowski would be active for Thursday night's tilt. When Kraft turned the tables on Hughes and asked what she though, he called her "a wise lady" when she stated she believed Gronk would play:

Gronkowski missed the first two games of the regular season with a hamstring injury he suffered during a joint practice with the Chicago Bears during the preseason. He reportedly told teammates throughout the week that he was planning on playing Thursday night, and was listed as questionable on the team's injury report on Wednesday.

Last season, he hauled in 72 passes for 1,176 yards and 11 touchdowns.

The Patriots' offense could certainly use the tight end's talents Thursday night, with quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo not expected to play with a sprained AC joint in his throwing shoulder he suffered Sunday against the Dolphins. With Garoppolo sidelined, that means rookie Jacoby Brissett will get his first career start under center.

We'll know for sure whether or not Gronkowski is active 90 minutes before kickoff, when teams have to release their inactive list for the game.

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• Robert Kraft
• NFL
• Rob Gronkowski
• New England Patriots
• Houston Texans