The Patriots got tight end Rob Gronkowski back in the lineup after he missed last week’s game with a chest injury, but Gronkowski has already headed off in need of medical attention.
Gronkowski went to the locker room in the final minutes of the first quarter for reasons that haven’t been disclosed at this point. He has not caught a pass on Sunday, but has been targeted twice and dove in an attempt to catch one of the passes that Tom Brady sent his way.
Losing Gronkowski wouldn’t be a plus to the Patriots as they try to shake off a slow start to the game. They’ve punted three times while the Jets have put together a field goal drive and another that had them on the edge of the Patriots’ end zone when time ran out on the first quarter.
UPDATE 5:11 p.m. ET: The Jets capitalized on that field position on the first play of the second quarter. Ryan Fitzpatrick hit Brandon Marshall for a one-yard touchdown and a 10-0 lead over the Patriots.
UPDATE 5:12 p.m. ET: The Patriots have announced Gronkowski is questionable to return with a back injury.
