Report: Patriots Do Not Expect TE Rob Gronkowski To Play Sunday

Update:

Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that TE Rob Gronkowski has yet to be cleared by doctors to play Sunday against the Saints.

As of 5 pm this Saturday, the Patriots are still without the clearence needed for Gronkowski if he is to step on the field this Sunday, otherwise he will not play.

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Update:

ESPN’s Ed Werder reports that Patriots no longer expect TE Rob Gronkowski to play in Week 6 against the Saints this weekend.

Gronkowski was able to practice again this week, but it appears as though he may not be back until Week 7.

In hindsight, the Patriots probably should have placed Gronkowski on the PUP list, but it’s hard to blame them for hoping that he could be back in time to contribute before Week 6 rolled around.

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Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports that a source with knowledge of the situation has informed him that there’s “less optimism” that Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski will be cleared to play on Sunday.

• Florio adds that Gronkowski could still receive clearance either today or tomorrow, but it’s apparently not looking as promising.

Last night, a report from WEEI.com came out that there are concerns Gronkowski’s first surgery that was performed by Patriots team physician Dr. Tom Gill. The report mentions that Gronkowski’s could have healed without further surgery, but the team elected to have him undergo another surgery so that he could play in last year’s playoffs. An infection would later arise and lead to more surgeries on his broken forearm.

Dr. James Andrews will now make the final call regarding whether or not Gronkowski will suit up for Week 6’s matchup against the Saints. We’ll have more regarding Gronkowski’s status in the coming days.