Patriots week 4 injury updates: Rob Gronkowski expected to play despite hip injury

As CultofBelichick observed earlier this week, Rob Gronkowski has not been his usual self.  In last week's game against the Baltimore Ravens, Brady only passed to Gronk 3 times, and only 2 of those passes were caught for a total of 21 yards. Those are not the type of numbers we are used to seeing from Gronk, and are in fact his lowest since week 4 in the 2011 season.

Recently, Gronkowski was listed as questionable for Sunday's Bills-Patriots game, but a source has told ESPN Boston that Gronk will play in Buffalo. Gronk spoke to ESPN Boston in the video above.

From ESPN Boston:

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is expected to play Sunday against the Buffalo Bills despite being listed as questionable with a hip injury, a league source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

Offensive lineman Logan Mankins, one of 10 Patriots players listed as questionable on Friday's injury report, was downgraded to out.

The Pats also downgraded cornerback Alfonzo Dennard (hamstring) and defensive linemen Brandon Deaderick (ankle) and Justin Francis (ankle) to out.

With receiver Julian Edelman (hand) and tight end Aaron Hernandez (ankle) already declared out earlier this week, the Patriots only will have to deactivate one additional player prior to Sunday's game.