Rob Gronkowski To Miss Patriots Game With Rib Injury: Report

FOXBOROUGH, MA — Former New England Patriots star Rob Gronkowski will miss him and Tom Brady's return to Foxborough, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Schefter tweeted Gronkowski will not join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on their trip to Gillette Stadium, because of a rib injury he suffered last week against the Los Angeles Rams.

The five-time Pro Bowl tight end suffered the injury when he got hit by Rams linebacker Terrell Lewis after catching a short pass in the third quarter of the Week 3 game at SoFi Stadium. He ultimately returned to the game, but the injury forced Gronkowski out of practice all week.

Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians initially said Gronkowski's availability against the Patriots would be a game-time decision. But he was later listed as doubtful and did not make the trip to Foxborough.

Gronkowski was set to make his return to Gillette Stadium for the first time since his brief retirement in 2019. He came out of retirement in 2020 to join Brady in Tampa Bay.