For any young quarterback, having a reliable tight end is important as a safe check down option.
For rookie Jacoby Brissett (or whoever starts for the New England Patriots Thursday night) they'll have the ultimate safe option as Rob Gronkowski is reportedly telling people he'll take the field for the first time this season, per the Boston Globe.
Arguably one of the best right ends in NFL history, Gronk has been plagued by back, forearm and leg injuries throughout his NFL career. He missed the first two games of the regular season thus far with a hamstring injury.
Gronk heads into Thursday's tilt with 5,555 yards and 65 touchdowns over six years. He hasn't played a full season since 2011.
