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Tight end Rob Gronkowski will be a game time decision, but he is in Houston and available to play if necessary, per the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The team wants to make sure he's feeling comfortable before activating him, so it's likely Gronk's decision. He wants to be out there.
The Patriots will be without guard Josh Kline and linebacker Dont'a Hightower, which really weakens the interior on both sides of the ball. Inexperienced players like rookie guard Tre Jackson and linebacker Jonathan Freeny will have to step up in a major way.