FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Rob Gronkowski is participating in contact drills with the New England Patriots for the first time since his knee surgery.

The star tight end says he’s planning to be ready for the season opener on Sept. 7 against the Miami Dolphins.

Gronkowski tore the ACL and MCL in his right knee on Dec. 8 and underwent surgery on Jan. 9. He had been practicing on the side with quarterback Tom Brady during training camp. His first contact drills came on Monday as the Patriots held their final workout of camp.

They’ll revert to their regular-season practice schedule when they work out on today for Friday night’s preseason game against the Carolina Panthers.

Cardinals

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Darnell Dockett, one of the most durable players in the NFL over the past decade, has torn the ACL in his right knee during practice and will undergo season ending surgery.

The team says the extent of the injury was revealed in an MRI on Monday.

The 6-foot-4, 290-pound Dockett has missed only two games in 10 NFL seasons. He has started 156 of the 158 in which he appeared.

Dockett was hurt in an 11-on-11 drill. He limped away but had to be helped onto a cart. Dockett lay on his back as he was carted off the field.

Saints

METAIRIE, La. (AP) — New Orleans Saints receiver Joe Morgan hasn’t lost his knack for the spectacular.

That’s what first earned him an NFL job when he was a little-known, undrafted rookie in 2011.

Now working his way back from knee surgery that cost him the whole 2013 season, Morgan hopes his most recent display of big-play potential gave coach Sean Payton a few more reasons to keep him around.

Morgan needed only three catches to lead the Saints in yards receiving in New Orleans’ preseason outing against Tennessee. His 108-yard night included gains of 52 and 44 yards.

Morgan has spent two of his first three pro seasons on injured reserve and says he’s fortunate the Saints gave him another chance to make the team in 2014.

Steelers

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is ready to see what his team’s no-huddle offense can do in hostile territory.

The starters looked in midseason form during a 19-16 win over Buffalo on Saturday night. Roethlisberger threw a pair of touchdown passes in three series of work and the Steelers (1-1) moved the ball effectively when working quickly.

Roethlisberger expects communication to be tougher in Philadelphia because of the crowd noise. He has been quizzing the offensive skill players during the week to make sure they’re all on the same page. The players who finish with the lowest scores during the quizzes will have to buy dinner for the rest of the unit before the end of training camp.

Bills

PITTSFORD, N.Y. (AP) — A person close to the situation tells The Associated Press that Buffalo Bills receiver Sammy Watkins is day to day after tests confirmed a diagnosis of bruised ribs.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team has not provided an update on the first-round pick’s status since Watkins was hurt in a 19-16 preseason loss at Pittsburgh on Saturday. Coach Doug Marrone would only say Watkins would not practice Monday.

Watkins’ agent Tory Dandy described the injury as being “just a bruise.” He added Watkins could have returned during the game after being hurt on the opening drive.

Marrone announced starting left tackle Cordy Glenn has been cleared for team drills. Glenn missed the first three weeks of camp because of an illness.

Raiders

ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) — Oakland Raiders rookie quarterback Derek Carr returned to practice three days after being knocked out of a preseason game with a concussion and sore ribs.

Carr practiced on a limited basis Monday and his status for the upcoming exhibition game in Green Bay on Friday night remains a question.

Carr got hurt in the fourth quarter last Friday against Detroit when he was hit from behind by Larry Webster. Carr got up and immediately pointed at his ribs but later said the concussion was more of a concern. Carr has never had a concussion previously in his career.

Carr played well before the injury and even got one drive in with the starting offensive line and receivers.

Lions

ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — The Detroit Lions acquired Golden Tate to play alongside Calvin Johnson.

This week, he might finally have a chance to do that.

Johnson hasn’t played in Detroit’s first two preseason games, but that seems likely to change this week against Jacksonville. In Johnson’s absence, the Lions still looked impressive throwing the ball last week at Oakland, and Detroit has several receivers who are creating competition for playing time.

Tate left Super Bowl champion Seattle to sign with the Lions after catching 64 passes last season. He figures to be Matthew Stafford’s top target aside from Johnson, but there are signs the receiving corps could have more depth than in the past.