Injured Rob Gronkowski to miss Patriots return

Rob Gronkowski will not travel with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for Sunday’s game against his former team the New England Patriots, according to reports.

Gronkowski was listed as “doubtful” on Friday’s injury report due to a rib complaint, but ESPN and NFL Network said on Saturday he had been ruled out.

The tight end will miss the chance to take on the Patriots for the first time in a game that will also see quarterback Tom Brady return to Foxborough.

Gronkowski spent the first nine years of his career with New England, in which time he scored 92 overall touchdowns across the regular season and postseason – leading the league at his position – and won three Super Bowls.

The 32-year-old then retired in 2019, only to reverse his decision a year later and join the Bucs when Pats legend Brady also left for Tampa, where they teamed up for another Super Bowl success.

Gronkowski’s 13 TDs since returning to the league trail only Travis Kelce’s 17 among tight ends, but he will not get the opportunity to add to that total on Sunday thanks to an injury sustained in the Week 3 defeat to the Los Angeles Rams.

Homecoming pic.twitter.com/LvRmhDrWsT

— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) October 2, 2021