Patriots’ TE Rob Gronkowski Vows To Play All Season

New England Patriots’ beastly tight end Rob Gronkowski has been laden with injuries the past two seasons, resulting in multiple surgeries. Only playing seven games last year and 11 the year before, what makes Gronkowski believe can endure a whole season in 2014?

As training camp gets underway, Gronkowski is getting excited about hitting the field. And, while he is determined to play every game of the season, how can he be so sure?

Gronkowski, who was attending a women’s football clinic Friday, spoke with Mike Reiss of ESPN.com and shared these comments about his return to the field (via NFL.com).

I’m planning on playing the whole season this year.

The first game for the Patriots is on September 7 in Miami. Gronkowski, who plans to be ready for Week 1, is not sure about his availability to participate in training camp. If he’s not able, he may be headed for the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.

Gronkowski further commented on his training camp status.

I don’t know yet until I report, so I’ll sit down with the coaches and training staff and we’ll see. I’m just working with the trainers right now, improving every single day and whenever it starts up, whatever the trainers have, whatever the coaches have for me, whatever we feel comfortable with (we’ll be) doing as much as possible every day that I can do.

Gronkowski is incredibly devoted, that much is clear. But all those surgeries have taken their toll, and as a result, a full recovery to play by Week 1 sounds questionable. Along with Gronkowski’s fans, I’m sure Gronkowski’s quarterback Tom Brady is routing for him also to play all 16 games in 2014.

Photo: Boston Herald