Rob Gronkowski Injury: Updates on Patriots Star's Hamstring and Return

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski suffered a hamstring injury in practice on Aug. 15. However, after not playing the first two weeks of the season, he is ready to return.

Continue for updates.

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Gronkowski Active vs. Texans

Thursday, Sept. 22

The Patriots announced Gronkowski will play Thursday night against Houston. 

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Latest on Gronkowski's Practice Status

Wednesday, Sept. 21

The Patriots announced Gronkowski was limited at Wednesday's practice.

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Gronkowski Discusses Playing Status

Tuesday, Sept. 20

"Feeling decent," Gronkowski said, per Mark Daniels of the Providence Journal. "Yeah we'll see. Definitely gonna be a coach’s decision, trainers decision, we'll all come together. But [I'm] just doing everything I can right now to be as healthy as I can be. Improving every single day, and basically just day-by-day right now and taking it one day at a time."

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Gronkowski Crucial to Patriots Offense 

Gronkowski is one of the most dangerous offensive weapons in the league.

Injuries are nothing new for Gronkowski, even though he appeared in 15 contests in each of the last two seasons. He hasn't played a full 16-game season since 2011 and appeared in only seven games during the 2013 season after he tore his ACL and MCL.

When healthy, Gronkowski is an elite playmaker. He tallied 1,176 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns last season, marking the third time in his career he topped 1,000 yards and the fifth time in six seasons he totaled double-digit touchdowns.

The four-time Pro Bowler is a matchup nightmare because of his physicality downfield and his speed to beat defenders in open space. The 6'6", 265-pounder also brings impressive strength when battling for fade routes in the corner of the end zone and is one of the team's go-to options on critical third downs.

Opposing defenses can rarely slow him down with just one defender, which opens up the offense.