NESN

Rob Gronkowski Makes Appearance at Gillette Stadium, But Tight End Unlikely to Take Field Anytime Soon

FOXBORO, Mass. — Rob Gronkowski is a warrior on the football field.

He played last year’s Super Bowl on a severely injured ankle, but the same sort of toughness shouldn’t be expected this time around.

Gronkowski had surgery on his left forearm Monday after breaking the bone during the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 59-24 blowout of the Colts. The tight end was back at Gillette Stadium on Tuesday, Shalise Manza Young of The Boston Globe reports.

But, while Gronkowski’s presence at the stadium was certainly a good sign for the Patriots, it by no means indicates that he’s going to suit up against the Jets on Thursday — or anytime soon.

The initial timeline on recovery from the injury is four to six weeks, with some saying he could be out up to eight weeks. So, expectations of the bruising tight end sporting a cast and gritting out a gutsy performance on the gridiron shouldn’t be more than a hopeless daydream.

Much like how the team handled Aaron Hernandez‘s ankle injury, Gronkowski’s forearm injury will receive the same sort of caution, and the all-important tight end won’t be rushed back onto the field too soon.

So, be glad that Gronkowski is back at the facility, but don’t let your expectations get too high for a Thanksgiving Day miracle. Those phenomenons are usually best saved for Christmas anyhow.

Have a question for Luke Hughes? Send it to him via Twitter at @LukeFHughes or send it here.