No PUP For Gronk: Gronkowski Makes Patriots' 53-Man Roster
BOSTON (CBS) - There will be no PUP list for New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski.
The Patriots decided to carry the healing tight end on their 53-man roster and not place him on the physically unable to perform list on Saturday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Gronkowski underwent multiple surgeries over the offseason, on his broken forearm and one on his back, and has yet to practice with the team.
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But the team must have seen enough progress from Gronk to believe he will return prior to Week 7. Had the team placed Gronkowski on the PUP list to begin the season, the tight end would have had to sit out the first six weeks of the season and would not have been able to practice with the team.
With a short turnaround between their season-opening game against the Bills and a Thursday night game against the Jets in Week 2, it's highly unlikely Gronkowski will dress for either of those games. But in not landing on the PUP, there remains a chance the All Pro tight end could be back as early as Week 3 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
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The Patriots currently have two tights ends on the roster other than Gronkowski; four-year veteran Michael Hoomanwanui and rookie Zach Sudfeld.