NFL: Lance Kendricks suspension puts another Patriots TE on the shelf

Replacing Rob Gronkowski was going to be a next-to-impossible task for the New England Patriots on its own. But replacing his replacements is proving to be comically difficult, too. 

The Pats were dealt another blow to their tight end corps when Lance Kendricks was suspended for the opening game of the 2019 NFL season for violating the league's substance abuse policy. 

The suspenstion stems from an arrest back in 2017 involving marijuiana after being pulled over for speeding while playing for the Green Bay Packers. Kendricks, 31, received probation in July for the incident. He can return to the team following the Patriots' season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

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That's just the latest setback for Pats tight ends. Benjamin Watson, the original projected starter, is suspended for the first four games of the season following a failed drug test. The Patriots made a trade with the Lions for Michael Roberts, but it was voided. The team also signed Austin Seferian-Jenkins in April, only to cut him two months later so he could sort through "personal" issues. 

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Right now, the New England depth chart at TE is highlighted by Eric Saubert, who had five receptions last year as a member of the Atlanta Falcons; Matt LaCrosse, who had 24 catches for the Denver Broncos in 2018; and Stephen Anderson, who didn't play last year following two seasons as a reserve with the Houston Texans.

The tight end issues haven't slowed down the Patriots' Super Bowl odds. New England is at 6-1 to repeat as champions, tied with the Kansas City Chiefs for lowest odds.