Injuries could mar Gronk’s Hall-caliber career

Rob Gronkowski, out for two months with a back injury, his fifth major football injury, turns 28 in May. If he didn’t play another down, he might still be voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Only eight tight ends are in the Hall of Fame: Dave Casper, Mike Ditka, John Mackey, Ozzie Newsome, Charlie Sanders, Shannon Sharpe, Jackie Smith and Kellen Winslow. Gronk has caught 68 touchdown passes; none of the Hall of Famers caught more than 62. Gronk has 6,095 receiving yards, topped by Sharpe’s 10,060 and also by Winslow, Smith and Newsome. But Gronk’s longevity will be a factor. Beset by injuries, he has played just four full seasons in his 7½ NFL years. Gronk has been voted to four Pro Bowls. Except for Newsome, every Hall of Fame tight end has at least five.

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