Rob Gronkowski Unlikely To Make Patriots’ Debut Sunday

Patriots super star tight end Rob Gronkowski is unlikely to make his season debut on Sunday.

Without Rob Gronkowski, the Patriots have clawed their way to a 3-0 start this season. They barely beat the Bills and Jets in weeks one and two, than easily handled the Buccaneers. However, the Buccaneers just benched starting quarterback Josh Freeman for Mike Glennon for a lack of offensive production. You can read into that what you will.

New England plays the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, and will need an explosive offensive showing to keep up with Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, and Roddy White.

Rob Gronkowski was listed as questionable last week and was limited in practice, then was inactive at game time. Gronkowski has been limited in practice again this week, and the Patriots are trying to stay optimistic.

League sources claim the optimism is a show though, and the Patriots expect Rob Gronkowski to be inactive for the fourth consecutive week.

Rob Gronkowski hasn’t played a game since breaking his arm near the end of last season. Slowing his recovery have been a forearm infection and back problems. The Patriots had Gronkowski on the physically unable to perform list (pup) during the offseason, but took him off early. If he had stayed on the PUP, he would not be eligible to return until after week six and his roster spot would be filled by another player.

While it is unlikely Rob Gronkowski will play Sunday, we probably won’t know until an hour or so before the game. Head coach Bill Belichick likes to keep his game plans close to his chest. Anyways, it’s not a bad thing for Atlanta to have to prepare for Gronkowski just to be safe.

[image via Wikimedia Commons]