Gronkowski absent from short injury list
FOXBORO — For the first time since the middle of September, the Patriots released an injury report that didn’t include Rob Gronkowski.
PATRIOTS NOTEBOOK
The Pats listed four players yesterday. Tight end
Dwayne Allen did not practice because of a knee injury. Quarterback Tom Brady, also nursing a knee injury, was limited. Ditto for safety Nate Ebner. And wide receiver
Julian Edelman was listed as a full participant with a foot injury.
Gronkowksi, who returned to the field against the Jets after 27 days between games, was a full go.
“I feel good,” Gronkowski said. “You know, the football wear and tear and all that. You’re never going to leave a game (feeling perfect).”
Gronkowski said he’s become used to dealing with soreness in the days following games.
“You’ve been through it so much you just know what to do and just keep on believing in the process,” Gronkowski said.
Gronkowski drew a tough matchup against Jets safety
Jamal Adams on Sunday, totaling three receptions for 53 yards and a touchdown.
It doesn’t get any easier this week against Minnesota’s Harrison Smith.
“He’s a big guy, and he’s physical, and he’s tough,” Gronkowski said. “He’s going to be bringing it. He’s just got all-around game, and the size that he has too definitely stands out.”
The Vikings haven’t allowed 50 yards to a tight end since Week 6, when Arizona’s Ricky Seals-Jones went for 69.
Missed chance
There aren’t many players in the NFL comparable to
Cordarrelle Patterson, who is built like a tight end but can move like an Olympic sprinter.
The issue has been figuring out how to harness his unique ability.
Despite a strong rookie season with the Vikings in 2013, Patterson never settled into a defined role. He hardly played in 2015, touching the ball just nine times in 16 games. The following year, he saw the field plenty but averaged a pedestrian 8.7 yards per reception.
Patterson isn’t exactly a breakout star with the Patriots, but they have found creative ways to get him the ball.
“They’re using him way better than we did,” Vikings
coach Mike Zimmer said. “Cordarrelle’s a great athlete, a very, very strong runner. I think they use him in a number of different ways. I mean, it’s good to see for him. I wish we would have used him a little bit better.”
The Pats essentially have transitioned Patterson from wide receiver to running back. Short on depth in the backfield in Weeks 8 and 9, they gave him a shot to carry the ball extensively. He delivered solid results, particularly against Green Bay.
Before this season, Patterson averaged 2.6 touches per game in his career. With the Pats, he’s at 4.5.
“We’ve used him in different ways,” Patriots coach Bill
Belichick said. “He’s embraced it, he’s worked hard to learn and accept different roles and he’s done them well. So he’s been a pleasure to coach.”
With Rex Burkhead activated from injured reserve, Patterson might lose some touches going forward.
Something’s afoot
Players across the NFL will sport customized footwear this weekend as part of the “My Cause, My Cleats” initiative, which encourages athletes to raise awareness for charitable causes.
Nineteen Patriots players, as well as Belichick, will participate.
Running back Sony Michel will bring awareness to disaster relief efforts in Haiti, which was impacted by a magnitude 5.9 earthquake in October.
Michel’s parents immigrated to the United State from Haiti.
“I chose to do Haiti just to shed light on something that’s close and dear to me, my culture, and just to shed light on what people are going through around this world,” Michel said. “Some people may not know what’s going on in Haiti . ... It’s just reflecting back on what those people are going through, and they need help.”