Report: Pats TE Rob Gronkowski 'not himself'

Oct 04, 2016

A report from NFL Network's Mike Garofolo may lend some insight into what's going on with Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski. Garofolo reported Tuesday that Gronkowski's hamstring injury is still lingering and hasn't quite progressed the way the team as hoped.

Here's Garofolo's take on it from Tuesday morning's "Good Morning Football."

"He is not himself. I had two calls yesterday. One guy semi-connected to Gronk said 'How are you guys not paying more attention? This guy is not right.' That hamstring is not coming along like they thought it was going to. I had another guy say: If you watch that game yesterday, they kept him in to block way more than they usually do. And they didn't let him get down the field, everything was kind of short or intermediate."

Fantasy Impact:

The story broke this down nicely. It went on to say the Pats have been using Gronk primarily as a blocker, but the story said bringing him back with a rookie under center may not have been the optimal scenario. He certainly brings value as a blocker, which he showed against the Bills Sunday. With Tom Brady back in the lineup, the Patriots offense will return back to normal. If we get through Week 5 and Gronkowski is still stranded at the line of scrimmage as a blocker, his limitations are not going to go unnoticed.

yesterday

Cowboys hope to get WR Brandin Cooks (knee) back for Week 12

Calvin Watkins on X

yesterday · 5:55 PM EST

Mike McCarthy said he's hoping Cowboys will get WR Brandin Cooks (knee) back this week.

Fantasy Impact:

Cooper Rush will get the start at QB again against the Commanders in Week 12. CeeDee Lamb led the way with 12 targets vs. the Texans, but it was Luke Schoonmaker, who took over after Jake Ferguson left with a concussion, who had 10 targets which was most behind Lamb. The addition of Cooks should help the Cowboys offense in what is a good matchup against the Commanders defense. For the fantasy world, Rush did end up throwing for 354 yards.

Cowboys will start Cooper Rush at QB in Week 12

Calvin Watkins on X

yesterday · 5:48 PM EST

Mike McCarthy said Cooper Rush "will be the starter" this week against Washington and a package of plays will be formed for Trey Lance.

Fantasy Impact:

McCarthy came out and said he regrets not giving Lance a chance to run the offense in the loss to the Texans on Monday Night, but even after that the team is going forward with Rush in Week 12 against the Commanders. One would have to assume Rush gets the start the following week as well, which is a short week and a game on Thanksgiving Day game against the Giants.

49ers TE George Kittle (hamstring) 'close' to playing in Week 11

The Athletic

yesterday · 3:18 PM EST

Shanahan said George Kittle was “close” to playing against Seattle and should be able to practice Wednesday.

Fantasy Impact:

It's at least a good sign Kittle is expected to practice Wednesday. The hope is he will be ready to go in Week 12. The 49ers play at the Packers, and it's in the later Sunday window so owners will certainly want to pay attention to what kind of work Kittle can get in this week at practice.