New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski played less than 50 percent of the team's offensive snaps in Sunday's loss to the Miami Dolphins, but he certainly made his limited presence known.
In 38 snaps, Gronk was targeted 11 times by quarterback Tom Brady. He hauled in four of those passes for 40 total yards, including a six-yard touchdown in the second quarter.
The 25-year-old tight end said he finished the game without any setbacks or injuries, according to the Boston Globe, news that coach Bill Belichick surely was happy to hear.
"I thought Rob competed well, obviously not having any game action until yesterday wasn't ideal," Belichick said Monday via WEEI.com. "There's a lot of things he can improve on, and I'm sure he will. He works hard."
That was a sentiment shared by Gronkowski as well, who seemed content with his first performance since early December but acknowledged the road ahead.
"It feels good to play football again, to be out there with the team. "You win as a team, lose as a team. I've just got to keep on improving every single week. I've got a lot of things to work on."
Gronk led all Patriots receivers in targets Sunday, as sophomore receiver Kenbrell Thompkins saw just one less than the former Pro Bowler with 10.
Receiver Julian Edelman, the team's reception leader last season, was targeted eight times and hauled in six for 95 yards.
Receiver Julian Edelman, the team's reception leader last season, was targeted eight times and hauled in six for 95 yards.
