It would be hard to make a case that there's a better all-around tight end in the NFL than Rob Gronkowski. The veteran is widely regarded as the best player at this position, but he's struggled to stay healthy throughout his career.

Last season, Gronkowski played in only eight games and missed the opportunity to be on the field when the New England Patriots won the franchise's fifth Super Bowl title. As a result of missing so much time on the gridiron last year, Gronkowski was eager to get back to work and returned to the field on Saturday against the Houston Texans which was his first preseason game in five years.

Gronkowski talked about what it was like to suit up and play in the preseason, via Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald.

“We expect to play every game, 60 minutes every game,” Gronkowski said after his first preseason snaps since 2012. “It felt good to be out there, get my feet wet, however many plays or whatever. It was great.”

During the seven seasons he's been with the Patriots, Gronkowski has played all 16 games of the NFL regular season only twice. The Arizona product was able to stay healthy his first two years in New England, but since then has missed a total of 21 regular-season games.

This year, Gronkowski will attempt to stay healthy and productive for head coach Bill Belichick and company as the team tries to repeat as Super Bowl. It would be the first time a team in the NFL has repeated as Super Bowl champions since New England accomplished the feat back in 2004.