New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski could be on the sideline Sunday night for the first game of the 2016 season against the Arizona Cardinals.
Gronkowski said his injured hamstring, which dates to Aug. 15 in training camp, continues to be bothersome to the point that he isn’t ready to guarantee he’ll play at University of Phoenix Stadium.
“It boils to a coaching decision, the medical team, and myself. We’ll all get together and collaborate and see where I’m at,” Gronkowski said.
Already the Patriots are counting on a first-time starting quarterback to lead the offense in the absence of Tom Brady, who is serving a four-game suspension.
Gronkowski is on the injury report and was listed again Thursday as a limited participant. A reporter asked if he was “100 percent” healthy. Gronkowski said no.
“No, I’m not. Since that one time during practices versus the Bears (Aug. 15), I’ve just been week to week with a little hammy thing,” he said. “So it’s just been week to week, day by day, but I’m feeling good.”
Gronkowski said he was feeling better every day.
The Patriots would turn to tight end Martellus Bennett, acquired in the offseason from the Bears, if Gronkowski can’t play.
He did not play in either of the Patriots’ final two preseason games.
Clay Harbor is listed as the No. 3 tight end for the Patriots.