Report: Rob Gronkowski Practices With Patriots on Friday But Still Not Expected to Play Against 49ers

by Dan Duquette Jr. on Fri, Dec 14, 2012 at 12:22PM

The good news? Rob Gronkowski is back at Patriots practice.

The bad news? He still isn’t expected to play on Sunday in a key matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. But there’s always a chance that changes.

Still recovering from a broken forearm suffered against the Colts in Week 11, Gronk was hoping to practice this week, according to a report by The Boston Globe.

It appears that report was spot on, as the tight end was spotted on Friday afternoon by multiple reporters covering Patriots practice. However, Gronkowski is still likely on the comeback trail and fans shouldn’t get their hopes up too much.

Rob Gronkowski is practicing today. Still wouldn't expect him to play Sunday.
—
Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) December 14, 2012

The timeline for Gronkowski’s recovery from the broken bone was reportedly 4-6 weeks, so a return against the Niners would put Gronk back on the field exactly four weeks from the date of his injury.