After listing tight end Rob Gronkowski and wide receiver Danny Amendola as questionable on Friday’s NFL injury report, the New England Patriots downgraded both to out for Sunday night’s game against the Falcons in At- lanta, reported.
The website, citing sources, said Gronkowski has participated in practices the past two weeks, even taking hits and getting tackled, and fellow players are wondering why he isn’t playing in games. Sources said Gronkowski caught about 15 passes in practice as recently as Thursday.
reports the holdup is Gronkowski’s circle of family members, friends and advisers, who want to ensure the big tight end is fully recovered from five surgeries — four on his forearm — in the past year before he steps on the field again. The divide between the Patriots and Gronkow- ski’s inner circle was first reported by the Boston Herald.
The lack of agreement on Gronkowski’s readiness is not related to his contract because bonus money does not kick in until 2015.
His $3.75 million base salary for next season is fully guaranteed, as is his $250,000 offseason bonus, ensuring he will make $4 million next year.
