With New England possibly missing its top two receivers against the Saints for New Orleans’ home opener Sunday in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, it’s possible that the Patriots heavily could lean on their all-world tight end, Rob Gronkowski.
Receiver Julian Edelman already is out for the season with a torn ACL, and Danny Amendola (concussion/knee) hasn’t practiced this week due to injuries sustained in New England’s season-opening loss to Kansas City.
That leaves Gronkowski – a three-time All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler – as the Patriots receiver with the most time on task with quarterback Tom Brady. And though Gronkowski is returning from a 2016 season in which he missed eight games due to various injuries, and ultimately ended the season on injured reserve and underwent back surgery, he still is a dangerous weapon for the Patriots.