Patriots officially place Rob Gronkowski on season-ending IR
Rob Gronkowski’s 2016 season is officially over.
The New England Patriots announced Saturday that Gronkowski has been placed on injured reserve after back surgery, thus ruling him out for the remainder of the season. Running back D.J. Foster was signed from the practice squad in a corresponding move.
Even if expected, it’s a big blow for the Patriots, who lose a top target on offense and a big part of their gameplan. The only good news is that Gronkowski has battled various injuries all season, so they’ve grown, to an extent, used to playing without him.
Gronkowski will now turn his attentions to 2017, though some fear the back issue may cost him more than just the remainder of the season.
