Rob Gronkowski says injuries have led to a ‘more challenging' season

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FOXBORO -- Rob Gronkowski laughed while fielding questions in front of his locker Friday. He did the same at the podium the week prior, but his answers then were shorter. He admitted later he was having a bad day. 

Friday seemed better, but he did admit that the 2018 season has been challenging because of the injuries he's dealt with

"It's been more challenging," he said. "But it's just a little more obstacles in the way. I mean, it's life. You gotta take 'em on. That's what I'm doing. Just gotta get back to where I need to be and just be myself when I get back, and it'll all be good. Just gotta take it on and work harder."

Asked to clarify what he meant by "myself" he said, "Just out on the field."

Gronkowski missed his team's win on Sunday Night Football over the Packers as he continues to deal with ankle and back issues. He had just three catches on eight targets in a Week 8 win over the Bills. He missed his team's Week 7 game against the Bears.

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"Good. Yeah. I feel good," he said when asked about his health on Friday. "Yeah. For sure."

Not the most convincing thing you've ever heard, probably.  

"Just been dealing with some stuff and working hard as I can every single day to work back to where I need to be back to," he said. "Just working with the trainers here, doing a little extra to get the body right. Working day to day. Taking it a day at a time, just to get back to where I need to be."

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When asked if he felt like he could play, he shrugged his shoulders.

"If Coach [Bill Belichick] thinks I can go," he said, "I can go." 

Gronkowski added: "Definitely the most important thing is to be contributing to the team and being out there with the boys. Just working hard every single day. Extra days. Extra work and doing the best that I can. Everything's going smooth. We'll just see what happens from here."

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What made Gronkowski's meeting with reporters on Friday different from the one he had a week ago was more than just the length of his answers. He acknowledged an effort to try to see the glass half full. 

"I just see positivity," he said. "I see it going strong in the future . . . I can't wait, when I am back, whenever it is, be back out there and give it all to my teammates my coaches and give it all I have. They've been great."

Gronkowski may not be peak "Gronk" at the moment. When asked how much fun he was having in 2018, he said, "Just working hard -- sometimes you just gotta put the work in and do what you gotta do." 

But his spirits seem to have improved from where they were last week, even if it's unclear as to when he'll be back on the field. 

"It's going good," he said. "Just working hard right now. That's the track we're looking at."

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