Rob Gronkowski (ribs) was sidelined for Wednesday's practice.
Gronk is currently dealing with four cracked ribs, a broken rib, and a punctured lung. It's incredibly unlikely that he's able to play this week. With Gronk avoiding injured reserve, it looks like the Bucs think he has a shot at returning within three weeks. For now, they'll role with Cameron Brate as their starting tight end. Brate was targeted six times in Week 4, making him a worthwhile streaming option for fantasy teams in need of some tight end production. O.J. Howard was targeted just once and appears to be an afterthought in the offense, even with Gronk out.
RELATED:
Cameron Brate
, O.J. Howard
Oct 6, 2021, 5:00 PM ET
Rob Gronkowski (ribs) was sideline for a second consecutive practice on Thursday.
The drumbeat that Gronkowski will miss this game has been steady from the start, and the details of Gronk's injury (broken rib, four cracked ribs, punctured lung) are pretty terrifying to read out loud. Expect it to be Cameron Brate this week, and for the next real chance for Gronk to play to come against Philadelphia in Week 6.
Oct 7, 2021, 4:10 PM ET
https://twitter.com/gregauman/status/1447662500602912770?s=21Greg Auman @gregauman
Arians says it will be "very close" on Rob Gronkowski being able to return from ribs injury Thursday, and it's possible that safety Antoine Winfield is back after missing a game in concussion protocol.
https://twitter.com/schultz_report/status/1448066249339150337?s=21Jordan Schultz @Scultz_Report
Sources: #Bucs TE Rob Gronkowski is OUT for Thursday night’s game with the #Eagles. I’m told Gronk has made “steady progress” since suffering cracked/broken ribs and a punctured lung Week 3 — but isn’t quite there yet.
Coming down to the wire as I was fortunate to have taken D Knox before he became a star to temporarily try and replace GRONK production. Knox has come through admirable to say the least. Well, BUF is on bye week 7 and here's to having GRONK back in the lineup... I hope.Week 7 it is. Glad he is sitting it out....short week....sounds like he will be pretty much close to or at 100% week 7
Was in the same boat but went with Gesicki instead. He has put up admirable numbers but kicking myself for not going Knox.Coming down to the wire as I was fortunate to have taken D Knox before he became a star to temporarily try and replace GRONK production. Knox has come through admirable to say the least. Well, BUF is on bye week 7 and here's to having GRONK back in the lineup... I hope.
Did exactly the same. Waived Logan Thomas to pick up Knox.Coming down to the wire as I was fortunate to have taken D Knox before he became a star to temporarily try and replace GRONK production. Knox has come through admirable to say the least. Well, BUF is on bye week 7 and here's to having GRONK back in the lineup... I hope.
I think they really feel compelled to play him.NFL Insider Jordan Schultz reports that Rob Gronkowski (ribs) will play in Week 8 against the Saints.
Let's hope so. I really thought they would hold him out through the bye next week.
Rob Gronkowski (ribs) practiced for the second-straight day on Thursday, drawing a limited tag.
Gronkowski seems like he's well in line to return for Week 8's tilt against the Saints, which would be his first playing time since Week 3's loss to the Rams. With Antonio Brown likely to be out, Gronkowski should be in the TE1 calculus right away if you can stomach the risk.
Oct 28, 2021, 4:26 PM ET
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports there is optimism that Rob Gronkowski (ribs, questionable) plays in Week 8 against the Saints.
Gronk has been sidelined since Week 3 after taking a massive shot to the midsection. The hit inflicted four cracked ribs, a broken rib, and a punctured lung upon the veteran tight end. Gronk was heavily involved as a red zone weapon before going down, securing four touchdowns in three games. With Antonio Brown currently sidelined, he'll resume his role as an elite scoring option for the Bucs once active. Gronk clocks in as a mid-TE1 this week, assuming he makes it through warmups without any setbacks.
SOURCE: Ian Rapoport on Twitter
Oct 31, 2021, 9:17 AM ET
Speaking Tuesday, Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians said "we still have to worry a little bit" about TE Rob Gronkowski.
Gronk appears unlikely to play in Week 10. The aging tight end has missed ample time this season, first due to a rib injury and then due to back spasms. The Buccaneers' passing game has suddenly become concentrated with Gronk and Antonio Brown sidelined.
SOURCE: The Tampa Bay Times
Nov 9, 2021, 6:40 PM ET
Rob Gronkowski (back spasms) missed practice on Wednesday.
The Buccaneers signed Darren Fells to their practice squad Wednesday morning, with the intent of elevating him for Sunday. This is a clear indication that Gronkowski's status for Sunday is truly up in the air. It's an unfortunate situation, with Gronkowski coming back from a ribs injury in Week 9, before the Buccaneers' Week 10 bye week, only to suffer another injury. Fantasy managers should prepare for Gronkowski to miss Tampa Bay's tilt with Washington.
Nov 10, 2021, 11:26 AM ET
Speaking Thursday, Bucs coach Bruce Arians said Rob Gronkowski (back) will be "back to normal" in 2-3 weeks.
Speaking on satellite radio, Arians then immediately pivoted to talking up recently-signed Darren Fells. Gronk didn't practice Thursday. In other words, Gronk won't be playing this week against the Washington Football Team, and even Week 11 seems like a bit of a stretch. Gronk has a decade-plus history of back issues, so the cruise-controling Bucs have zero incentive to rush their seam stretcher right now. The goal is another Lombardi. O.J. Howard is a top-24 option for Week 10, while the Bucs' receiver injuries could even put Cameron Brate on the PPR map.
SOURCE: Sirius XMNFL on Twitter
Nov 11, 2021, 2:26 PM ET
Sometimes a lil patient and sometimes a lil more. I'm holding. Here's Arians take.Woe is me....I've held on to this guy for like 6 weeks now...I really don't have room for 2 TEs, should I just swallow hard and cut him?? Now he might not play for another few weeks after being probable early in the week?? 10-teamer, so there are other options available. But the potential is soooo intoxicating and I'll vomit if he gets 2 TD's & 70 yds on another team during the playoffs...I wish they had just put him on IR so I could stash him there!!
Same and also have Knox so twice I have had to carry 3 tight endsWoe is me....I've held on to this guy for like 6 weeks now...I really don't have room for 2 TEs, should I just swallow hard and cut him?? Now he might not play for another few weeks after being probable early in the week?? 10-teamer, so there are other options available. But the potential is soooo intoxicating and I'll vomit if he gets 2 TD's & 70 yds on another team during the playoffs...I wish they had just put him on IR so I could stash him there!!
Rob Gronkowski (back) is out for Week 10.
Gronk probably won't be back to full health for another week or two, according to head coach Bruce Arians. O.J. Howard and Cameron Brate are borderline fantasy options this week against the Football Team with Gronkowski sidelined. Brate ran 28 pass routes to Howard's 16 in Week 8 against the Saints after Gronk exited early with back spasms. It's slightly easier to trust Howard, who has drawn a target on 19.4 percent of his routes this season. Brate has a meager 11.3 percent target per route rate.
RELATED:
O.J. Howard
, Cameron Brate
SOURCE: Greg Auman on Twitter
Nov 12, 2021, 12:23 PM ET
Rob Gronkowski (back) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.
For the first time since Week 3, it appears that Gronkowski will re-join the fantasy landscape. With Antonio Brown still a DNP and the Giants not an especially notable TE-stopping defense, Gronkowski should absolutely be on the TE1 radar this week. Tampa's beat writers have been a little less optimistic on what they've seen from Gronkowski than this injury designation appears, but the volume potential can't be denied.
Nov 18, 2021, 3:57 PM ET
Rob Gronkowski (back) said the "arrow's pointing up towards playing" in Week 11 against the Giants.
Gronk, practicing in full again on Friday, was in good spirits at the podium, joking that he never contemplated retirement and will just add his recent injuries to his resume "to file for Workers Comp." The TE3 in fantasy points per game in four appearances this year, Gronkowski returns as a top-six option at his position the moment he's active; it sounds like that's going to be as early as Monday against New York.
SOURCE: Jenna Laine on Twitter
Nov 19, 2021, 1:28 PM ET
Rob Gronkowski (back) is listed as questionable for Week 11 against the Giants.
Gronkowski didn't practice Saturday in what was likely a rest day after full sessions on Thursday and Friday. Barring setbacks, he should return on Monday night after sitting out Week 10. Gronkowski hasn't played a full game since Week 3 but should see his normal workload if active. O.J. Howard and Cameron Brate can be dropped with Gronk trending toward playing this week.
Nov 20, 2021, 1:37 PM ET
Grew immediately wary upon the downgrade from healthy back to questionable today. I may have to plug in Knox by 1:00 p.m. unless I hear he is a go. If not, too much risk.Anyone trusting him after the early exit a couple weeks ago with "back spasms"?
He's got big upside if fully implemented, but I am very wary....esp on a Monday night.
AgreeGrew immediately wary upon the downgrade from healthy back to questionable today. I may have to plug in Knox by 1:00 p.m. unless I hear he is a go. If not, too much risk.
With it being MNF, I can’t trust the situation. My other option is Schultz, I am going to play it safe.From trending up to healthy to questionable tag on Saturday. Good golly Miss Molly. Certainly plants a seed of doubt. Or is it just a true tag because they really don't know for sure to play him or not?
Soooo much want to start Gronk on MNF IF he really is a go. It's the anticipation and excitement factor along with the gambler. Knox is the sure thing to play. Is Dawson back up to speed and back in the flow with Allen? Knox filled in admirable for Gronk earlier this season. But, Gronk opened the season like a true TE stud he is. If I pass on Knox and Gronk ends up not active then the pivot is Engram, Brate and like I said someone would have to be dropped or just take the 0.00. The roll of the dice is the gambler in me. Gronk is my play. Tampa Bay could use his presence. Just not sure which trigger I pull.
The Athletic's Greg Auman said the Bucs are "optimistic" Rob Gronkowski (back) will make a "healthy return" Monday night against the Giants.
Gronkowski was held out of Saturday's practice after full sessions on Thursday and Friday. The Bucs seem intent on managing their aging tight end's myriad injuries after rushing him back from a rib injury in October. Gronk has 16 receptions in his three full 2021 games, including two touchdowns. Tom Brady clearly misses his prime red zone target and would see his fantasy prospects rise with Gronk's return. O.J. Howard and Cameron Brate can be dropped to waivers if Gronkowski is indeed back. The Giants, Tampa's Monday night opponent, have allowed an average of 5.33 receptions and 51.1 receiving yards per game to opposing tight ends this year.
RELATED:
Cameron Brate
, O.J. Howard
SOURCE: Greg Auman on Twitter
Nov 22, 2021, 9:02 AM ET
Rob Gronkowski (back) is active for Week 11 against the Giants.
Gronk returned from a rib injury in Week 8, only to play six snaps and immediately suffer a back injury. The back issue knocked him out for two more games. He will likely have his snaps limited in this game but fantasy managers can still gamble on getting a touchdown out of him. He scored four times on 21 targets through three weeks before the rib injury sidelined him.
Nov 22, 2021, 6:54 PM ET
Rob Gronkowski caught 6-of-8 targets for 71 yards in the Bucs' Week 11 win over the Giants Monday night.
Gronkowski was injured way back in Week 3 against the Rams, tried to come back too soon in Week 8, playing only six snaps, but finally looked healthy again in this one. Cameron Brate and O.J. Howard combined for a 3-37 line on seven targets behind Gronkowski against the Giants. Gronk's big gain came on a deep over the middle throw for 35 yards. Assuming he's avoided any setbacks, Gronkowski will be on the back end of the TE1 map next week against the Colts.
Nov 22, 2021, 11:20 PM ET
Rob Gronkowski (back) is practicing in full for Week 12 against the Colts.
Gronkowski returned to the lineup Monday night against the Giants and played 59% of the snaps, turning eight targets into six catches for 71 yards. Cameron Brate played 45% of the snaps, while O.J. Howard was at 26% as the third tight end. Gronkowski is back in the TE1 mix.
Nov 24, 2021, 8:00 PM ET
Rob Gronkowski (back) was removed from the Week 12 injury report.
Gronkowski caught six passes and played 59% of snaps in his return to the lineup last week. The Bucs should continue to rely on him over the middle of the field with Antonio Brown (ankle) out, giving him a high target floor against the Colts. Indy has been one of the worst teams in the league at covering tight ends, allowing over 60 yards per game to the position this season.
Nov 27, 2021, 9:46 AM ET