Week 1 injury news: Gronk (and, duh, Brady) active; Panthers' Newton, too

Two NFL stars are going ot give it a go in Week 1.

The New England Patriots have tight end Rob Gronkowski active for Sunday's game at the Miami Dolphins, and Cam Newton will start for the Carolina Panthers against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

And, oh yeah, Tom Brady (calf) is also active for the Patriots. No stunner there, despite him missing Thursday's practice.

[ Smack talk season is back at Yahoo Sports: Sign up and play free Fantasy Football!]

Gronkowski is less than a year removed from ACL surgery and was a sparce participant in full-contact drills in training camp. He was held out for the entire preseason. Also, Patriots first-round pick, defensive tackle Dominique Easley, who is on a similar ACL timetable and who also did not play in the preseason, is active against the Dolphins.

Newton said he'd play in Week 1, and he'll give it a go. He underwent ankle surgery in the offseason and looked a bit ginger on it in the preseason, and on top of that he suffered a rib injury two weeks ago that knocked him out of the final preseason game.

In other significant NFL injury news for the early Week 1 games:

• Baltimore Ravens cornerback Lardarius Webb is out with a back injury that kept him sidelined for the entire preseason. This leaves the Ravens' secondary a bit thin against Andy Dalton and the Cincinnati Bengals. Jimmy Smith, Chykie Brown and Asa Jackson are the only three active corners, and Smith (chest) and Jackson (ankle) are banged up.

• The Patriots also will be without wide receiver Aaron Dobson, who is a bit of a surprise. Although he began the preseason on the PUP list, he played a lot and looked good in the preseason finale.

• Buffalo Bills cornerback Stephon Gilmore (groin) is out in what appears to be a huge loss. He had wanted to match up with his former college teammate, Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, but could not get ready to go.

• With Trumaine Johnson out, the St. Louis Rams will start sixth-rounder E.J. Gaines at cornerback. Tough matchup with a pair of talented Minnesota Vikings wide receivers, Cordarrelle Patterson and Greg Jennings.

- - - - - - -

Eric Edholm is a writer for Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at edholm@yahoo-inc.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Eric_Edholm

from Yahoo Sports http://ift.tt/WucemC