Patriots Notebook: Gronkowski and Mason officially DNPs for Thursday's workout taken at Gillette Stadium (Patriots)

(Adam Richins/Boston Sports Journal)

FOXBOROUGH -- Rob Gronkowski was not spotted at the start of Thursday's practice. The big tight end has been battling back and ankle issues, and wasn't able to go late last month against the Bears, and was questionable last week in the days leading up to the Bills' contest.

In addition to Gronkowski, offensive lineman Shaq Mason, who appeared to get dinged up late in the Buffalo game, was not on the field. The good news? Julian Edelman was back on the field.



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It was announced Thursday kicker Stephen Gostkowski was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Month. It's the fourth time in Gostkowski’s career he's earned Player of the Month honors, and the first time since September 2015. (He also earned AFC Player of the Month in October 2008 and October 2013.)



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Last week, Dont’a Hightower missed a couple days of practice and Rob Gronkowski missed today. Is this the time of the year where there’s guys that play a lot of minutes that are going to miss days of practice because of nicks and you have to fill in the gaps there?




Is it more Aaron Rodgers or his receivers you have to worry about?




At the midway point of the season, are you happy with where this team is at?




Is there another quarterback that forces you to cover as long as he does with the ability to keep plays alive? Ben Roethlisberger is a guy that has mobility and he looks to throw first before he runs.




How do you feel like this team’s conditioning level is right now and how much does it stress your conditioning when you go against a quarterback who can extend plays the way Aaron Rodgers can?


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