Patriots Rumors: Rob Gronkowski Practices, Out Week 14? Scott Chandler Fantasy Start Option With Danny Amendola, James White Sleeper For Tom Brady

The New England Patriots will likely be without Rob Gronkowski for Week 14, as the tight end is still dealing with a knee injury that kept him out last week. Scott Chandler will start again if Gronkowski is out and he could be a solid fantasy football option for Tom Brady along with Danny Amendola, James White and Brandon LaFell.

Gronkowski injured his knee in the loss against the Broncos in Week 12 of the season and he missed the game on Sunday against the Eagles with the injury. According to Mike Reiss of ESPN, Gronkowski was not practicing on Wednesday, but the Boston Herald reported that Gronkowski was able to return on Thursday. Gronkowski reportedly was practicing with a "bulky plastic brace" on his knee and was in uniform for part of the practice session. Adam Schefter said on ESPN earlier in the week that it was "unlikely" that Gronkowski would play against the Texans on Sunday.

Chandler has stepped up with Gronkowski out and he will be the starter if the tight end can't play in Week 14. According to Bleacher Report, Gronkowski said that he would return once he is "100 percent" and that could take a few weeks. Gronkowski said that he is considered "week-to-week" and there is a chance the Patriots could be cautious in bringing back the tight end to ensure that he is ready for the playoffs.

Chandler was limited in practice while dealing with a knee injury, but the Patriots do not expect it to be an issue later in the week. Chandler has done a solid job coming in while the Pats have dealt with injuries and last week he had four catches on seven targets for 61 yards and a touchdown in the game against the Eagles. Chandler now has touchdowns in three of his last four games and over the last two games he has nine catches combined and has put up his best numbers of the season.

The Patriots have dealt with numerous injuries this season and players like Danny Amendola, Gronkowski, Dion Lewis and Julian Edelman have all missed time. Amendola missed the Broncos game, but he was able to return last week and there is not a concern about him missing this week after dealing with a knee injury. Amendola played in 75 snaps last week and did not have any issues with his knee and he comes in after putting up seven catches for 63 yards and a TD against the Eagles.

LeGarrette Blount remains the number one tailback for the Patriots, but James White is a solid sleeper option for fantasy owners moving forward in the playoffs. White comes in after putting up 119 total yards last week, including 10 catches for 115 yards and a touchdown. White has taken over the dion Lewis role for the Patriots and for PPR fantasy leagues he could be a valuable option. Brady and the Pats are now third in the conference for the moment and they will look to try and get back into one of the top two seeds over the final four weeks.

Check here for more on the Patriots and Gronkowski.