TAMPA, Fla. — At least one subplot in a Sunday night showdown rife with them has fizzled.
Bucs tight end Rob Gronkowski, nursing a rib injury sustained last weekend against the Rams, won’t make the trip with the team to New England and will miss his homecoming of sorts against the Patriots, the Tampa Bay Times has confirmed.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter first reported the news early Saturday afternoon.
Gronkowski, who amassed Hall of Fame credentials (and helped the Patriots win three Super Bowls) in nine seasons in Foxborough, was listed as doubtful on Friday’s injury report. He didn’t practice Wednesday or Thursday, and was spotted without pads or a helmet at Friday’s indoor workout.
Following the week’s final practice, coach Bruce Arians said Gronkowski’s availability would be a game-time decision.
Clearly farther along (in terms of conditioning and playbook astuteness) than this time last year, when he still was shaking the rust from a one-year retirement, Gronkowski mostly flourished in the Bucs’ first three games.
His 16 receptions (for 184 yards) are tied for second on the team, and his four touchdown catches lead the Bucs. The two other active tight ends this season, O.J. Howard and Cameron Brate, have combined for seven receptions.
With Gronkowski out, the Bucs are likely to elevate one of their two practice-squad tight ends — Codey McElroy or Deon Yelder — for Sunday’s contest.
