Week 7 Patriots vs Bears: Rob Gronkowski doesn’t travel with the team to Chicago, highly unlikely to play

While the New England Patriots already ruled out their starting right tackle Marcus Cannon yesterday due to a concussion, a second high-profile player will likely join him on the inactives list against the Chicago Bears tomorrow: tight end Rob Gronkowski. On yesterday’s final injury report of the week, the 29-year old was listed as questionable to play due to an ankle injury and also a new back issue.

As a result of his ailments, Gronkowski did not make the trip to Chicago with his teammates according to the Boston Globe’s Jim McBride:

Breaking: #Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski (back) did not make trip to Chicago with team, per league source. Has NOT been ruled out yet, however.

While Gronkowski has not yet officially been ruled out to play against the Bears, the “signs are not good” per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The NFL’s best tight end should therefore not be expected to be active tomorrow against one of the league’s better defensive units. In his absent, Dwayne Allen and Jacob Hollister will serve as the Patriots’ tight end tandem. However, Hollister was also listed as questionable yesterday after hurting his hamstring.