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Patriots notebook: With Rob Gronkowski out, Dwayne Allen has big shoes to fill

Related Topics: Rob Gronkowski, Dwayne Allen

FOXBORO — The size-16 hooves aren’t exactly fillable, literally or figuratively.

But now, much more so than in Week 5, tight end Dwayne Allen is more capable of picking up Rob Gronkowski’s slack.

“Rob has huge shoes to fill, and it’s going to take everyone collectively to fill those shoes,” Allen said.

Gronkowski couldn’t play in Week 5 against the Buccaneers due to a thigh contusion. At that point, it seemed like an opportunity for Allen to break out, but he wasn’t targeted with a single pass, which was a microcosm of his challenging start.

Allen, who was acquired from the Colts in an offseason trade, had a tough time earning Tom Brady’s trust over the summer.