Rob Gronkowski’s latest injury is yet another why the Patriots traded for Martellus Bennett last off-season.

As great a player as Gronkowski is, he cannot stay healthy for an entire season. He is expected to miss 1-2 two weeks with a punctured lung he suffered on Sunday night when he collided with Seahawks safety Earl Thomas.

Gronkowski usually misses one to three games on average per season in his career. That’s one of several reasons why Belichick went out and got Bennett. Bennett is a starting caliber tight end. Belichick didn’t just trade for Bennett so he can be Gronk sidekick. He viewed him as an insurance policy.

Rob Gronkowski is the arguably the greatest tight end in league history. His 69 touchdowns receptions are the most in Patriots history. He has taken a beating during the course of his career. That’s why it is important to have quality second tight end on the roster. It is even more important as  Gronk gets older.

With games against the hapless 49ers and Jets, the Patriots can afford to give Gronk time to heal. Let Bennett move into his customary role as a number one tight end for a couple weeks and give Gronk the time he needs to heal properly.