NEW ENGLAND’S STAR tight end Rob Gronkowski will miss the remainder of the NFL season, the Patriots confirmed on Saturday — one day after he had surgery to repair a herniated disk in his back.
The Patriots had said on Thursday they would wait to see the results of the surgery before making a final decision on whether Gronkowski might return.
There was a slight possibility Gronkowski could be ready for the Super Bowl if the 9-2 Patriots made it to the championship game.
But the Patriots put Gronkowski on injured reserve on Saturday, officially ruling him out for the rest of the campaign. Losing Gronkowski robs New England quarterback Tom Brady of his favourite receiver.
“Nobody wants Gronk not out there. Everybody wants Gronk out there every play of every game. But that’s not our reality,” Brady told the US media on Thursday.
Gronkowski, who is in his seventh season with the Patriots, finishes this season with 25 receptions for 540 yards, with three touchdowns in eight games.
