Patriots star tight end Rob Gronkowski had by far his best week of practice since returning from an injured hamstring, sources said, and is primed to be featured more prominently in New England's passing game Sunday.
The hulking pass catcher has been primarily a decoy and a run blocker this season, only running on average about 13 pass routes per game. Expect that to change against the Browns, sources said.
Sunday marks the return of future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady from his four-game suspension, and the Patriots envision a base attack that features two tight-end sets, with Gronkowski and Martellus Bennett, himself a physical specimen as well. We've yet to really see that develop this season with a revolving door at quarterback due to injuries and Brady's suspension, but that's an element New England may well establish with vigor against the hapless Browns on Sunday.
The team was especially prudent with Gronkowski's injury, holding him out of the opening games and nursing him along slowly; but having him at least on the field while youngsters like Jimmy Garoppolo and then Jacoby Brissett took turns at center was imperative to keep defenses honest. But it wasn't full Gronk.
Gronkowski was able to do much more in practice this week, sources said, and while he is still going through a process in his recovery, expect him to see more targets and be available more readily downfield, where he does the most damage. Gronkowski has just one catch for 11 yards in two games of action this season, but I wouldn't be surprised if he's improved on that exponentially by the opening drive Sunday.
