The Patriots placed Rob Gronkowski on the injured reserve list Friday, according to ESPN’s Field Yates, ending the star tight end’s season. The team announced that he would undergo surgery Friday on his lower back for an injury he sustained in last Sunday’s win against the Jets. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport is reporting that the injury is a herniated disc.
New England Patriots place Rob Gronkowski on IR
The season’s over for New England’s star tight end.
Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images
It has been a rough, injury-riddled last few weeks for Gronk. In the Pats’ Week 10 loss to Seattle, he suffered a bruised lung and missed two weeks of action. Despite trying to return last Sunday for the Jets, Gronkowski left early with back and leg pain. The team has ultimately decided it would be best to let him spend the rest of this season recovering rather than risk his long-term viability.
The Patriots already used their “designated to return” option on third-string quarterback Jacoby Brissett, assuming that Gronkowski had only suffered a short-term injury. This move means the team cannot place Gronkowski back on the active roster once they place him on IR. This move ends his season, as he will not be able to suit up for the Patriots again even if they make it as far as the Super Bowl.
Gronk ends his season with 21 catches, 540 receiving yards, and three receiving touchdowns. His 21.6 yards per catch currently puts him first among all pass catchers.
While this means Patriots quarterback Tom Brady loses a receiving option, it will allow for tight end Martellus Bennett, as well as receivers like Chris Hogan and Malcolm Mitchell to feature more prominently in the Pats’ offense.
See More:
