Gronkowski (ribs) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Patriots and is expected to miss next week's game against the Dolphins, but the Buccaneers are optimistic he'll be ready to play in their Week 6 game Oct. 14 in Philadelphia, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Though initial X-rays on Gronkowski's ribs returned negative coming out of Tampa Bay's Week 3 loss to the Rams, the star tight end was later diagnosed with cracked ribs and a punctured lung after undergoing an MRI and CT scan a few days later. The injury resulted in Gronkowski staying back in Tampa Bay when the Buccaneers traveled to New England earlier in the weekend, and the 32-year-old looks doubtful to return for the Week 5 home game versus the Dolphins. The Buccaneers face a quick turnaround in Week 6 with a Thursday night game in Philadelphia, but the team apparently has some early optimism that Gronkowski will be ready to go by then. In the meantime, Cameron Brate and O.J. Howard are expected to split the snaps at tight end over the next two contests.