This season it seems like if you put a microphone in front of a former NFL player when discussing the Patriots, it’s almost like getting a ridiculous hot take is a guarantee.
Former Ravens and Jets linebacker Bart Scott decided to throw his name into the fray on Tuesday when he offered up the latest ridiculous theory to the mix.
After suffering a back injury while diving for a pass early in Sunday’s battle against the Jets, which saw him leave the game, Rob Gronkowski’s exit has been the hot topic for the last two days and Scott believes the worst is yet to come for the veteran tight end.
“Gronk’s on his way out,” former Ravens and Jets linebacker Bart Scott said on CBS Sports Radio. “Because of injuries, and they don’t stick with you when they see you slipping. When you have a big man that starts having back problems – he’s only in his seventh year, and he has two years remaining.”
Scott then went on to suggest that Gronkowski’s potential replacement is already in the building.
“And guess what? They already brought in his replacement and they can get him for cheaper,” said Scott, referring to Martellus Bennett.
 Rob Gronkowski’s had a tough start to 2016. (USA TODAY Images) |
Scott believes that Gronkowski’s injury history has his days numbered in New England and that Bill Belichick will eventually move on from the veteran if he begins to lose faith in his durability.
“We talk about knee injuries, back injuries, elbow brace forever,” said Scott. “Listen, man, you think Bill Belichick going to stick with you? Negative. He’s not in the foxhole with you.”
Gronkowski has certainly had a tough run, with MassLive.com posting a full timeline of his injury history. He’s missed 24 games in 7 seasons and has had a tough start to 2016. He missed two games earlier this year with a hamstring injury, followed by an injury that can’t really be deemed his fault after he suffered a punctured lung against the Seahawks two weeks ago thanks to the huge hit he suffered at the hands of Kam Chancellor. In that game he battled through, missing jut a handful of plays before finishing the contest.
Sunday’s injury was a surprise given that it didn’t look that bad when it happened, but obviously it was enough to force him out of the game. Initial reports seemed to indicate it wasn’t that bad and that he might be back in time for this weekend’s match-up against the Rams, but other reports have said that the team may not rush him back.
Either way, Scott’s comments are pretty premature at this point. Gronkowski proved his toughness against Seattle and while his latest back injury is unfortunate, it doesn’t change the fact his services are certainly going to be important in January.
As we know, another ring will certainly change all those perceptions and for Gronkowski, it will likely make it easier to justify playing through whatever pain he’s forced to deal with.
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Ian Logue is a Seacoast native and owner and senior writer for PatsFans.com, an independent media site covering the New England Patriots and has been running this site in one form or another since 1997.
