Beat: 'all signs point' to Gronk being ready Week 1

Jul 06, 2014

As has been the case in recent seasons, the Patriots TE situation all comes down to the health of arguably the Patriots best player: Rob Gronkowski.

At this point all signs point toward Gronk being ready to go in Week 1, but that’s really not the important part of the equation for the Patriots. Can he withstand the rigors of an NFL season and put his injury problems behind him? If he can then the lack of depth at the position won’t be much of a concern. If he can’t, then Tom Brady will have to go without a reliable pass catching tight end for the second straight season.

Fantasy Impact:

Backup Michael Hoomanawanui is not a fantasy option. So, if Gronk misses the start of the season, or any time during the season, it will likely affect the Pats offense much like last year when more WRs saw the field a greater percentage of the time without Gronk. Julian Edelman appears to be the only safe fantasy WR right now, but we should learn more about the Pats offense in camp, the status of Gronk, as well as the fantasy roles of guys like Aaron Dobson, Kenbrell Thompkins, Josh Boyce and Danny Amendola. This news certainly helps Gronk's value, though, as he's our number-three TE with an ADP of the fourth round.

today

Buccaneers WR Mike Evans practices for second straight day

Greg Auman

0 minutes ago

Cooler weather for Bucs practice today -- Wirfs and Evans practicing again. Still no Zyon McCollum, but Troy Hill and Greg Gaines were practicing today.

Related Players: Sterling Shepard, Jalen McMillan, Trey Palmer

Fantasy Impact:

Fantastic news for fantasy managers hanging on to Mike Evans: he should be considered a WR1 option immediately.

yesterday

49ers TE George Kittle "good to go" for Week 12

KNBR

yesterday · 5:34 PM EST

“I will be playing on Sunday. Very excited, can’t pass up playing the Packers. I will be out there for sure.”

George Kittle says he’s good to go for Sunday

Related Players: Eric Saubert

Fantasy Impact:

Kittle returns to a great matchup against a Packers defense that ranks 26th in TE aFPA. He should be fired up as a high-end TE1 once again.

Bears RB D'Andre Swift misses Wednesday practice

Kevin Fishbain

yesterday · 1:29 PM EST

Per Bears head coach Matt Eberflus: Ryan Bates remains in the concussion protocol. Elijah Hicks (ankle) and D'Andre Swift (groin) won't practice.

Teven Jenkins will be limited.

Related Players: Roschon Johnson, Travis Homer

Fantasy Impact:

This is definitely a situation to keep an eye on, as Johnson would have a huge workload if Swift were to miss Week 12. Homer has three rush attempts and zero targets on the year.