Gronk’s ‘good’ for homecoming vs. Bills
FOXBORO — Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski said his back and ankle issues have cleared up enough to start against the Bills tomorrow night. Gronkowski was on the sidelines for the Patriots first road win, a 38-31 victory over the Bears last Sunday. “I feel good,” Gronkowski said after practice yesterday. “Just doing everything that I need to do, whatever the training staff, whatever I can do out on the field, whatever the coaches ask me to do. “Just taking it day by day, one step at a time to get back on the field.” Gronkowski is off to a slow start by his standards but remains one of the most dangerous tight ends in the NFL. He has 25 catches for 405 yards and one touchdown this season. Gronkowski played three years at Williamsville North High School in suburban Buffalo and has always enjoyed returning home to play the Bills. “It’s always special to go up there,” he said . “This is my seventh or eighth time going up there and playing in Buffalo. “It’s always an honor. It’s always special to go up where you grew up watching them and everything. It’s cool. The atmosphere — you can’t ask for a better football atmosphere either, especially coming this Monday night.”
Michel doubtful
Rookie tailback Sony Michel appears to have avoided a major injury and was back at practice for the first time yesterday. Michel is listed as doubtful on the Patriots’ injury report. But his return to practice indicates a partial recovery from the left knee injury he sustained on the first play of the second quarter against the Bears. Michel’s left leg got caught under Bears defensive tackle Bilal Nichols. Michel was twisted awkwardly as Nichols dragged him down. He had trouble putting weight on the left leg as trainers helped him to the sideline. Rounding out the injury report, Jacob Hollister (hamstring), Eric Rowe (groin) and Brian Schwenke (foot) are out. Gronkowski, Marcus Cannon (concussion), Josh Gordon (hamstring), Geneo Grissom (ankle), Dont’a Hightower (knee), John Simon (shoulder) and Deatrich Wise Jr. (ankle/knee) are questionable. For the Bills, Josh Allen (elbow), Taiwan Jones (neck) and Trent Murphy (knee) are out. LeSean McCoy (concussion) is questionable.
For the asking
Gordon is an inquisitive wide receiver. He was acquired in a trade with the Cleveland Browns on Sept. 17 and has slowly acclimated his way into the Patriots game plan. Gordon isn’t afraid to ask questions and he frequently peppers fellow receivers Julian Edelman, Chris Hogan, Phillip Dorsett and Cordarrelle Patterson about the intricacies of offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels’ pass schemes. “I just like asking a lot of questions because I don’t want to go out there and not knowing what to do,” Gordon said. “I’m appreciative of them being patient with me and working with me and I’m just glad to have them. “Without them I wouldn’t