Bucs TE Rob Gronkowski likely to play vs. Patriots

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Buccaneers TE Rob Gronkowski likely to play vs. Patriots after X-rays on ribs negative

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 9/28/21

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski will likely play Sunday night's game against the New England Patriots after X-rays on his ribs came back negative, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

X-rays on Bucs’ TE Rob Gronkowski’s ribs today were negative, per sources. Gronkowski looks likely to play Sunday night’s return game to New England.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 28, 2021

Gronkowski exited a Week 3 loss to the Los Angeles Rams after taking a big hit but later returned to the game. He had four catches for 55 yards in the 34-24 loss.

Gronkowski has put together a solid season thus far, catching 16 passes for 184 yards and four touchdowns on 20 targets.

The 32-year-old and seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady will head to New England as members of the Buccaneers for the first time since joining the franchise in 2020.

Gronkowski established himself as one of the best tight ends in the NFL during his time with the Patriots. He set the all-time single-season record for touchdowns by a tight end in 2011 with 17 and played a significant role in three Super Bowl titles.

The five-time Pro Bowler left the Patriots after the 2018 season, announcing his retirement from the NFL. He returned in 2020 when Brady recruited him to the Bucs.

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