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Report: Rob Gronkowski Has '50-50 Chance' Of Playing Sunday Vs. Buccaneers

BOSTON (CBS) -- The Patriots' offense is in need of some help. Rob Gronkowski may be ready to provide it.

The tight end, who's steadily been recovering from offseason back surgery through training camp and the start of the regular season, has a "50-50 chance" to suit up Sunday, according to ESPN's Ed Werder.

While Gronkowski won't be expected to be at 100 percent full speed if he does return, his mere presence will be a welcome sight for Tom Brady. The quarterback threw for just 185 yards last week against the Jets, his lowest total in a game since a December matchup with the Bills in Buffalo in 2010, when the temperature was 22 degrees.

As Werder noted in his report, last week's game was the first time in four years that Brady did not target a tight end at all during a game. With Aaron Hernandez incarcerated and Gronkowski on the shelf, the Patriots haven't gotten much at all in terms of production from tight ends through two games, with Michael Hoomanawanui making one catch for five yards on three targets.

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said Monday that Gronkowski, like every other injured player, is "day-to-day."

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