Rob Gronkowski Injury Update: Patriots TE Back to Locker Room

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is a regular on NFL highlight reels, but he’s also a regular on NFL injury reports.

Prior to today’s rivalry game against the New York Jets, there was some question whether or not New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski would be able to suit up. Gronk was listed questionable on the injury report and he was considered a true toss-up.

He made enough progress to play, but it looks like Gronkowski may be dealing with some complications.

Patriots fans and fantasy owners will undoubtedly wait for more updates. Historically, the Patriots have been extremely conservative with managing Gronk’s injuries. If he suffered a setback or was never even ready to play today, then questions will be raised about Bill Belichick’s handling of Gronk’s latest ailment.

The Patriots official Twitter chimed in, saying that it’s a back injury and his return is questionable:

Earlier this season, the Patriots willingly held Gronkowski out of a Week 1 game against the Arizona Cardinals despite it being Jimmy Garoppolo’s first career start. The Patriots won that game. Maybe this time around, they felt it was a critical portion of the season, particularly since the Jets are a division foe.

Of course, the Patriots could be exercising caution simply by removing Gronkowski from the game with the medical staff by his side. More updates are needed. Gronkowski did not record a catch on his two targets, and the Patriots were down 3-0 to the Jets following a 51-yard Nick Folk field goal when Gronk left the game.

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The Patriots star tight end has been one of the league’s best playmakers this season with 77.1 yards per game and a ridiculous 21.6 yards per reception.

Update – 6:13 p.m. ET

The Patriots have announced that Gronkowski will be out for the rest of Week 12 with the injury. That’ obviously a big blow.