No one can blame the New England Patriots for easing their superstar tight end back into action. And no one can blame Rob Gronkowski for playing the cards he was dealt.
But Gronk’s uneventful return to the Patriots’ lineup Thursday night in New England’s 27-0 win over the Houston Texans drove some fantasy football owners absolutely insane.
https://twitter.com/OnlyInBOS/status/779134100871536640
https://twitter.com/socialglass/status/779132117766672384
when you started Gronk in fantasy pic.twitter.com/Zo109TEM4Q
— Movie Mindset (@lifein4chapters) September 23, 2016
Start Gronk in fantasy they said, he's active they said
— Finley (@finleym55) September 23, 2016
Don't feel bad. I started Gronk too….
— FantasyFootballFocus (@focus_fantasy) September 23, 2016
Gronk and I had the same production in Fantasy last night. Only difference was he played 14 more snaps than I did #ThanksFellas
— Brady Ward (@BradyWard25) September 23, 2016
https://twitter.com/mattz1999/status/779332430851211265
How many of you were excited to start Gronk in Fantasy Football only to be stuck with a BIG OLE GOOSE EGG? OUCH! #HighDraftPickDecoy #NFL
— NFL Rants & Raves (@NFLRandR) September 23, 2016
Playing Gronk in fantasy last night pic.twitter.com/DTPvz8meaq
— Spellman (@spellman1104) September 23, 2016
Gronkowski, who’s been dealing with a hamstring injury, played just 14 offensive snaps (including kneel-downs and penalties) in his first game action of the 2016 NFL season, according to ESPN.com. Only three of those snaps came in the second half with the Patriots in control.
Furthermore, rookie quarterback Jacoby Brissett targeted Gronkowski only once, though the play was a pass to the end zone from the Texans’ 6-yard line in the first quarter. The attempt sailed over Gronk’s head.
In other words, it was goose eggs across the board from a fantasy perspective, leaving some owners behind the eight ball going into the weekend. The good news, however, is that Gronkowski stayed healthy and should find himself becoming a bigger part of the Patriots’ offense in due time.
Thumbnail photo via Winslow Townson/USA TODAY Sports Images