Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski will reportedly be out for Sunday's game against the Patriots in New England due to a rib injury.
The four-time All-Pro was not expected to travel with the team for the anticipated Week 4 matchup between the Bucs and the Pats on Sunday Night Football, according to NFL insiders Ian Rapoport and Adam Schefter.
Gronkowski, 32, was injured in Week 3 against the Rams, when he was hit hard by linebacker Terrell Lewis will trying to make a catch over the middle. He was down on the turf in pain for several moments before he was helped off.
Though not a surprise after Gronkowski did not practice all week, his absence precludes a return to the field where he became an NFL legend. The likely future Hall of Famer caught 521 passes and 79 touchdowns with the Pats in his nine seasons there.
Of course, Gronkowski's former and current teammate, Tom Brady, will be in attendance -- under center for Tampa Bay.
The seven-time Super Bowl champion will make his highly awaited return to face the team, and coach, that drafted him way back in 2000.
Touted as a "revenge game" between Brady and Bill Belichick, the coach who won six titles with Brady and then let him walk, the contest could end up ranking among the most-watched regular-season game in NFL history, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.
Gronkowski played an outsize role in the second half of Brady's Patriots stint, when he became even more prolific as a passer.
It's a shame he won't be at Gillette Stadium for what might have been a cool, potentially final farewell.
Gronk was off to a strong start this season for the Bucs, reeling in 16 catches for 184 yards and four touchdowns in his three appearances.
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