The Patriots won’t be getting tight end Rob Gronkowski back on the field for at least another week.
Gronkowski has been ruled out for Sunday’s game in Jacksonville, Shalise Manza Young of the Boston Globe reports.
Sunday will be the fifth consecutive game that Gronkowski has missed after suffering a broken arm that required surgery. Although Gronkowski is an integral part of the offense, the Patriots have gone 3-1 without him, and the Patriots’ offense has played very well over the last four weeks despite Gronkowski’s absence.
The Patriots may be inclined to keep resting Gronkowski until the playoffs start, although they may want to get him some game action in Week 17 so that he’s fresh for the postseason.