Report: Gronkowski will not play Friday against Panthers
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is getting closer to returning to game action, but it doesn't look like that will come on Friday night.
As expected, Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski will sit tonight. Everything is still on course, though -- Optimistic, but not certain about Wk 1.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) August 22, 2014
The third game of the preseason usually serves as a sort of dress rehearsal, with starters playing more than they do in any of the other preseason games. With Gronkowski sitting out Friday, it's also likely he won't play next week when New England closes out its preseason slate against the New York Giants.
Gronkowski's status will have to be monitored right until the Patriots begin the regular season, and even then it could take some time before he's at 100 per cent.