Gronk doesn't make flight to Arizona, might not play in Pats opener

If the New England Patriots win on Sunday night at the Arizona Cardinals, maybe Bill Belichick really is a wizard.

The Patriots are going to be supremely short-handed. Everyone knew they’d be without quarterback Tom Brady, who is suspended four games. Now it appears tight end Rob Gronkowski might not play either.

No big deal. Just going to play the defending NFC West champs without two future Hall of Famers.

Gronkowski has been dealing with a hamstring issue. The Patriots are always secretive on injuries, so it came as a surprise when Gronkowski said this week he wasn’t 100 percent. Then there were reports Friday afternoon that Gronkowski wasn’t on the Patriots’ team flight to Arizona. Tom Curran of CSN New England said he didn’t think that ruled Gronkowski out, though Courtney Fallon of NFL Network said he isn’t expected to play. Tackle Nate Solder and guard Jonathan Cooper also reportedly weren’t on the flight. The Patriots are also without running back Dion Lewis, defensive end Rob Ninkovich and offensive tackle Sebastian Vollmer.

If Gronkowski plays after not flying out with the team, it would be pretty unusual. Perhaps New England felt he was better off getting treatment in Massachusetts and then flying out Saturday, but that’s not the norm in the NFL.

If Gronkowski doesn’t play, and neither do Brady, Solder, Cooper, Lewis, Ninkovich and Vollmer, that will be a lot of talent out for the Patriots in this week’s already tough matchup.