New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (back, forearm) has yet to fully participate in practice but is expected to start in the team's Week 4 game against the Atlanta Falcons, according to a report by the Boston Globe's Ben Volin. Gronkowski has yet to see the field in the regular season for the Patriots this year.
Fantasy impact: When healthy, Gronkowski is one of the top fantasy tight ends in the game alongside the New Orleans Saints' Jimmy Graham. The problem for his fantasy owners over the last two seasons is that he hasn't been able to stay in the lineup on a consistent basis.
In light of his recent injury troubles, fantasy owners should be smiling from ear to ear knowing that he likely will suit up this week. Though it is a bit of a gamble to put him in your lineup as the patriots play in the evening on Sunday, you can indeed start him with confidence, as the Patriots coaching staff typically doesn't say much about injuries regardless of a player's progress.
When you consider the fact the Patriots could easily have two losses instead of being undefeated and that their receiving corps. is very young, now would be as good a time as any to get Gronkowski back in the lineup. Starting him in Week 4 looks like a promising proposition.