There is no doubt that New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is a talented football player. At 6’6″, 265 lbs., Gronkowski is an imposing figure on the gridiron as he was elected to the Pro Bowl in 2011 and 2012. After being drafted by the Patriots in the second round of the 2010 National Football League Draft from the University of Arizona, Gronkowski had a good rookie season as he scored 10 touchdowns. Gronkowski broke out in 2011 as he recorded 90 receptions with 1,327 receiving yards. Gronkowski’s 17 receiving touchdowns in 2011 were a single-season record for tight ends in the NFL as he helped the Patriots reach the Super Bowl. Towards the end of the season, the injury bug caught up to Gronkowski and it hasn’t let go of him since.
In the 2011 AFC Championship Game, Gronkowski suffered a severe ankle sprain against the Baltimore Ravens. Gronkowski’s injured ankle slowed him down two weeks later in Super Bowl 46 against the New York Giants as he only recorded 2 receptions for 26 yards as the Patriots lost 21-17.
Gronkowski came back strong in 2012 and was poised for bigger things until he suffered a broken forearm in Week 11 against the Indianapolis Colts. Gronkowski missed the remainder of the regular season only to return for the Patriots AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Houston Texans. After the Patriots first possession of the game Gronkowski re-injured the same forearm and this time it would mark the end of his season.
Since he first injured his forearm, Gronkowski has had four procedures and now he is scheduled to have back surgery next Tuesday in Los Angeles that could make him unavailable for up to 12 weeks.
This has to be troubling for Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. After former Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker signed with the Denver Broncos this offseason, Gronkowski was expected to be Brady’s main target, but he might not be available when the Patriots open the regular season in September against the Buffalo Bills. Gronkowski has the rare combination of size and speed as his presence frees up plenty of space on the field for his teammates. Gronkowski consistently commands a double team as he tends to be mainly covered by a safety and a linebacker. Opposing defenses tend to concentrate on Gronkowski so much that 
it makes the job of Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez that much easier. Gronkowski also has the ability to line up at different spots on the field, but his presence is felt the most in the red zone where he reigns supreme.
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick loves versatile players which is why he signed Gronkowski to a six-year, $54 million extension last year, but Gronkowski becoming a spectator won’t help as the Patriots are looking to win the AFC East for the 11th time since 2001. Gronkowski is vital to what the Patriots can do offensively and they will need a healthy “Gronk” going forward.
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