Patriots' Rob Gronkowski: Has a "real chance" to play Thursday

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport suggests that "there's a real chance" Gronkowski (hamstring) could make his regular-season debut Thursday night against the Texans.

Analysis:

Gronkowski remains in the game-time decision category as Thursday's 8:25 ET kickoff approaches, but for his part, Ben Volin of the Boston Globe relays that the star tight end "has been telling teammates all week" that he plans to give it a go. In the event that Gronkowski does suit up Thursday, he'd provide expected starting QB Jacoby Brissett with a valuable target in the offense, particularly in the red zone.