Rob Gronkowski ruled out for Patriots homecoming, reportedly could miss multiple weeks
Tom Brady wasn't supposed to be the only New England Patriots great making a return to Foxborough on the field this weekend, but will be.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers initially listed tight end Rob Gronkowski as doubtful with a ribs injury for Sundays's game. The team officially ruled him out on Saturday and said he is not traveling with the team to Foxborough.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported he could miss multiple weeks with fractured ribs which showed on follow-up MRIs. Gronkowski has not participated in practice all week.
Bucs’ TE Rob Gronkowski suffered multiple fractured ribs last Sunday that threaten to sideline him for multiple weeks, sources tell ESPN.
Initial X-rays were clean but follow up MRIs were not. “We held out hope all week he’d be ready,” said one source. “He’s a different breed.”— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 2, 2021
Grownkowski sustained the injury during last week's loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Early in the third quarter, Gronkowski caught a short pass from Brady and was immediately leveled by Rams linebacker Terrell Lewis:
SHEEEESH! https://t.co/TWvqQD80NA pic.twitter.com/QSZ6n30h3o
— ✯✯✯✯✯ (@FTBVids_YT) September 26, 2021
Gronkowski left the field in obvious pain and was eventually taken to the locker room after a sideline examination, but returned to the game. Bucs head coach Bruce Arians said after the game that X-rays on Gronkowki's ribs did not reveal a fracture.
The injury is clearly still bothering Gronkowski. He is still promoting the game on Twitter, but that's hardly a better indication of his future plans than an NFL injury report.
🚨Captain Ralphie Sparrow wants you to win tickets to the game this Sunday🚨 https://t.co/p1M9cABRcA 🏴☠️ pic.twitter.com/sVSeXSO6XS
— Rob Gronkowski (@RobGronkowski) September 30, 2021
Cornerback Carlton Davis (abdomen/ribs)is listed as questionable for the Bucs in Saturday's update. Jason Pierre-Paul was also ruled out on Saturday with a shoulder injury and will not travel. Giovani Bernard and Jamel Dean are both out with knee injuries.