New England Patriots

NFL Rumors: Patriots placing Rob Gronkowski on injured reserve

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The New England Patriots will be placing tight end Rob Gronkowski on injured reserve, effectively ending his season

This week we found out the news that New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski would be undergoing back surgery, putting the rest of his 2016 season in jeopardy. While it was assumed that his season was done, something the Patriots even alluded to that in their press release, there was some optimism that he could be back at some point with a miraculous recovery.

Well, it looks like Gronk’s 2016 season will be over, indeed.

Field Yates of ESPN reported on Saturday that the team will be placing their stud tight end on injured reserve, meaning that his campaign has come to a close.

Now, though, he’ll have to sit back and rehab, and leave many wondering what the future holds for the young superstar. With the severity of the back injury, some have even pondered whether or not Gronk’s career will come to a close — not just his 2016 season. While that remains to be seen, it’s certainly a possibility depending on how this rehab goes.

The Patriots will continue to make that run to the Super Bowl even without the big man catching passes. But there is no doubt that his absence the rest of the way as the season comes to a close will be noticed at times.