The return of the Gronk might be imminent.
Rob Gronkowski has missed the Patriots’ first two games this season, but he might finally be available for a return against the Buccaneers this weekend. The All-Pro tight end is 50/50 to return for the Patriots on Sunday, according to ESPN’s Ed Werder.
Gronkowski missed the entire preseason and the first two weeks of the regular season while recovering from offseason back surgery. He has been practicing with the team for the last three weeks, though, and appears to be making some good progress.
His return would be a major help for a struggling Patriots passing game and offense as a whole. Tom Brady completed fewer than 50 percent of his passes for the first time in almost four years, and the Patriots managed just nine first downs — the fewest in the Bill Belichick era — during Thursday’s ugly win against the Jets. With Gronk back in tow, Brady and the offense should at least see a bit of an uptick in production, especially down in the red zone, where they are just 2-for-8 so far this season.
Gronk was a limited participant at practice again on Monday.
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