Rob Gronkowski will stay on active roster, Marcus Forston released

Many have been reporting recently that Rob Gronkowski was expected not to hit the PUP list, which would keep him off the field for the first six weeks of the season. Instead, Gronkowski will take up a roster spot and remain on the active roster, suggesting that his recovery from back surgery is going well.


It's not necessarily surprising at this point. Gronk is young and also a physical beast. Aside from that, this also aligns with the original timetable for his recovery. Based on his having the surgery in mid-June, Gronk was supposed to be recovered by next week. The Patriots likely will not put Gronk back on the field until Week 4 at the earliest however.

Rob Gronkowski is perhaps the biggest asset left among Patriots pass catchers, the team needs to ensure that he is as healthy as possible. Especially considering they are now leaning on just Zach Sudfeld (another injury risk) and Hoo-Man as their lone tight ends.

Jake Ballard and Daniel Fells were released yesterday.

On the defensive side of the ball, Marcus Forston was surprisingly released. The former undrafted free-agent defensive tackle was thought to have a spot on the roster seeing as how he was impressive in camp, and the position is so thin. The Patriots apparently didn't agree. After being a surprise inclusion in last year's final roster, Forston is a surprise cut this year.