Three important Patriots hit the PUP list

The Patriots have had their fair share of big stories surrounding this off-season. They've involved everything from murder to God, but the only one that really effects them on the football field are the ones revolving around injuries.

The list of players entering traning camp on the PUP list was released early this morning, and there are some big names on it.

Ben Volin, Boston Globe:
The Patriots have several players who won't be ready to practice when training camp begins on Friday. They are:

Rob Gronkowski (TE) Declared physically unable to perform
Julian Edelman (WR) Declared physically unable to perform
Jake Ballard (TE) Declared physically unable to perform
Mark Harrison (WR) Declared non-football injury
Armond Armstead (DE) Declared non-football illness
Matt Stankiewitch (C) Declared non-football injury
Nick McDonald (G) Declared physically unable to perform
Kanorris Davis (DB) Declared non-football injury

The PUP list prevents the player from practicing and, obviously, from playing in games. The Gronkowski news does not come as a surprise, as the move was reported more than a month ago. Edelman has been seen in and out of a walking boot so his is no surprise either. Still, that doesn't lessen the significance of either. Rob Gronkowski could be likely headed for starting the regular season on the PUP list, as he recovers from both back and arm surgery. That will keep Gronk out for at least the first six weeks of the season.

Julian Edelman on the other hand is more likely to come off the PUP list sometime during training camp.

Jake Ballard is another big name on the list. It speaks to the severity of his injury in the 2012 Super Bowl against the Patriots. Ballard still hasn't completely recovered from his microfracture surgery. It's unclear when he will be ready, but it doesn't seem likely he will start the season on the PUP list like Gronk. Certainly, the Patriots couldn't afford for that to happen after losing tight end Aaron Hernandez already. Zach Sudfeld and Daniel Fells are the next two tight ends in line.

Armond Armstead could round this list of important out to an even four, except we've never seen him play an NFL game before. Still, the former CFLer created a lot of buzz when he was signed. His CFL coach called Armstead a "first round pick without using a first round pick". The former USC Trojan went undrafted due to a heart condition, but has since lit things up in the CFL as a dominant pass rushers. With the releases of Kyle Love and Brandon Deaderick on the Patriots defensive line, the team could use all the talented bodies they can get on the front lines.