New England Patriots: Martellus Bennett analysis, Rob Gronkowski injury update

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- New England Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett spent opening night in Arizona serving most as a blocker. This past Sunday, the former Pro Bowler continued to be a factor as a blocker but also notched his first 100-yard receiving game in New England with five catches for 114 yards, including a 20-yard touchdown.

Two weeks and two different roles, each helping the Patriots to victory.

"I mean, one of the things they say is the more you can do, the more they'll use you on the field," Bennett said. "So I just tried to show them that I could do everything whether it's pass, block, pick up blitzes, you know, catch the ball, outside inside. Whatever it is, I just try to show them that I'm able to do every single thing that I can possibly do to so that way I could be on the field."

His coaches have been very pleased with the tight end's contributions, and he seems quite pleased with life in his new NFL home after things went south in his final year in Chicago.

"Man, I'm just here to play football and have fun," he said. "I'm just having a lot of fun right now with these guys. I love my teammates. I love the coaches. I love this environment and these fans and, for me that's all it's really about, just going out there and doing the things I love to do, and have fun doing it. I haven't had this much fun in a long time in the NFL and I think it's making a big difference for me. Because when it's fun, it's much easier to go out there and play."

--Tight end Rob Gronkowski missed the first two weeks with the hamstring injury suffered in early August joint practice action against the Bears. But when the Patriots jogged out on the practice field for a walkthrough in shorts and sweats, Gronkowski did so in full pads and helmet on Tuesday. Could it be a sign the tight end is ready to go? Or at least itching to get back to game action?

"I haven't been in full pads in a while, so, I kind of felt like I wanted to get used to it," explained Gronkowski, who took the pads off before practice began. "It's part of the training process, but obviously, I wasn't allowed to wear them. Really no big deal. I just like the feel."

The All-Pro certainly wasn't going to let on whether he would be returning to action Thursday night against the Texans at Gillette Stadium

"I'm feeling decent," he chuckled. "We'll see. It's going to be a coaches' decision, trainers' decision. We'll all come together. Just doing everything I can right now to be as healthy as I can be. I'm improving every single day... yes, for sure, I'm feeling better every single day. That's all I can ask for."