Rob Gronkowski finally returned to the field in Week 8, only to exit again after just six snaps due to a back injury. And he probably won't be back, at least in full health, for a while. Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians joined SiriusXM NFL Radio on Thursday ahead of Tampa Bay's showdown with Washington, and he indicated the veteran tight end will miss Week 10 and may not be 100 percent for another two to three weeks.
"We think in about two or three weeks, he'll be back to normal," Arians told NFL Media's Tom Pelissero. "Gronk is gonna get better, and (we're) just gonna make sure he's good when he comes back ... We think that next week is a better time frame for him (returning). We kinda pushed it with the New Orleans thing. I want him ready to go the whole distance when we're ready to go."
Gronkowski, who's battled back injuries throughout his career, is doubtful to suit up against Washington on Sunday, Arians clarified, even though he also had the Buccaneers' Week 9 bye to recover. He previously missed five games after suffering a rib injury back in Week 3 against the Rams. The former Pro Bowler played all 16 games for the Bucs in his 2020 Tampa Bay debut, marking the first time he played a full season in nearly a decade.
In Gronk's place, the Bucs are expected to rely on veteran reserves Cameron Brate and O.J. Howard at tight end. The team also signed 35-year-old Darren Fells, the former Cardinals and Texans veteran, to its practice squad this week, giving Tampa Bay added insurance at the position.
