Rob Gronkowski – Important – Injury
TE Rob Gronkowski will return to the lineup for Sunday’s matchup at the New York Jets. Gronkowski sat out the past two games due to back and ankle injuries, but last week’s bye apparently sped up his recuperation. “Good to go. Excited to be back out there on Sundays,” Gronkowski told reporters Friday. “I’m excited to be back out there, and I’ll be ready to roll.” Gronkowski had missed three games this season, including a 34-10 beating by the Tennessee Titans prior to New England’s bye.
Tom Brady – Noteworthy – Injury
QB Tom Brady missed practice on Friday because of an illness, but is expected to start for the Patriots on Sunday against the New York Jets, according to media reports.
It’s the first time this season that Brady has missed a practice. He was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday because of a knee injury hat he apparently sustained in a loss to the Tennessee Titans on Nov. 11 prior to New England’s bye. The Patriots officially listed Brady as questionable to play on Sunday.
Tom Brady – Important – Injury
QB Tom Brady was not on the field during the media-access portion of Friday’s practice. It’s the first time this season that Brady has missed a practice. He showed up on the injury report Wednesday due to a knee injury that he apparently suffered in a loss against the Tennessee Titans on Nov. 11 prior to New England’s bye. Despite the injury designation earlier in the week, the Boston Globe reported that Brady was expected to play Sunday at the New York Jets, per a league source.