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Patriots' Rob Gronkowski Misses Thursday Night Football, Expected To Play In Week 6

BOSTON (CBS) -- The Patriots will not be without Rob Gronkowski for long.

The tight end did not suit up for the Patriots in their Thursday night game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers because of a thigh injury, but is expected to return to action in Week 6 against the New York Jets.

ESPN's Adam Shefter was the first to report that Gronk would be out on Thursday, citing a thigh contusion that the tight end suffered on Wednesday. It's unclear how Gronkowski suffered the injury, but the Pats offense was missing one of its biggest contributors. Gronk caught four passes for 80 yards in Sunday's loss to Carolina, and has 20 receptions for 318 yards and two touchdowns on the season.

Given the short week, it could have been the Patriots being overly cautious with one of Tom Brady's go-to targets. It's a costly absence for Gronkowski, who had active roster bonuses included in his reworked contract over the offseason.

With Gronk sidelined, the Patriots were left with Dwayne Allen and Jacob Hollister at tight end.

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