Gronkowski (back), who is listed as questionable for Monday's game against the Giants, is expected to be available to play so long as he avoids any pregame setbacks, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Prior to sitting out Saturday's practice, Gronkowski had managed two sessions without any restrictions, which reinforces the notion that he's on the right track to play after sitting out five of the Buccaneers' previous six games. That said, a final word on Gronkowski's status likely won't be announced until Tampa Bay releases its inactive list 90 minutes prior to Monday's 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff. Given the time that he's missed, Gronkowski could be subject to a more limited snap count than usual in his return to the lineup.

The Buccaneers seem optimistic Gronkowski (back) will return for Monday's game against the Giants, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Gronkowski was a full practice participant Thursday and Friday before sitting out Saturday and being listed as questionable on the final injury report. It seems the absence was planned -- rather than indicative of a setback -- but fantasy managers will still want to check in when the Bucs release their inactive list approximately 90 minutes before the 8:20 EST kickoff Monday night. If Gronkowski can't go, the team will lean on Cameron Brate and O.J. Howard at tight end again.

Gronkowski (back) did not practice Saturday and is listed as questionable for Monday's game against the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

Gronkowski was a full participant for both Thursday's and Friday's practices, so it's hard not to look at this designation as anything but a setback for the veteran tight end. Coach Bruce Arians was coy in his post-practice presser, suggesting a "number" of players for the Buccaneers would be game-time decisions, which seems like an ominous message considering the news of Gronkowski's practice status had not yet been revealed. More information will hopefully become available prior to the 8:15 ET kickoff on Monday.

Gronkowski (back) was a full participant in Friday's practice, with both he and coach Bruce Arians saying the "arrow is pointing up" for the tight end to play in Monday's game against the Giants, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

It certainly would be unusual for a player to miss a game after back-to-back full practices without a setback. Still, fantasy managers should keep an eye out this weekend in case the Bucs give Gronkowski a game designation on their final injury report Saturday afternoon. The extra caution does make sense, given his age, injury history and the recent failed attempt at returning from a rib/lung injury (he played six snaps Week 8 against New Orleans before exiting with back spasms). If he does return Monday, which now seems likely, there's no guarantee of Gronkowski immediately reclaiming his huge role from earlier this season (51.0 snaps, 7.0 targets per game Weeks 1-3).

Gronkowski (back) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.

EDGE Analysis

While tending to cracked and fractured ribs and a punctured lung, and more recently, a bout with back spasms, Gronkowski has missed five of the Buccaneers' last six games and played only five snaps in the lone contest in which he suited up. The future Hall of Fame tight end finally looks to be healthier heading into a Week 11 matchup with the Giants, as he took every rep in practice for the first time since late September. Assuming he doesn't experience any setbacks in practice the next two days, Gronkowski should be ready to handle something resembling a full workload come Monday night. In the two full games Gronkowski has played this season, he's played more than 80 percent of the offensive snaps on both occasions while compiling a 12-129-4 receiving line on 13 targets.

Gronkowski (back) has been ruled out for Sunday's game in Washington, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

A Week 9 bye didn't give the veteran tight end enough time to get healthy after his return to the lineup Week 8 quickly ended with a bout of back spasms. Gronkowski now is set to miss his fifth game of the season, leaving Cameron Brate and O.J. Howard in a timeshare again. Neither has been consistent in terms of targets or production, even in the games Gronk has missed.

Gronkowski (back) didn't participate in Thursday's practice.

EDGE Analysis

While he didn't mix into individual or team drills, Gronkowski was spotted running on a side field with team trainers for a second consecutive session. The lack of activity may indicate he's set to miss his fifth game of the season, but fortunately the tight end has one more chance Friday to put himself into a position to play after the Buccaneers' Week 9 bye. If Gronkowski is unable to suit up Sunday in Washington, Cameron Brate and O.J. Howard will man tight end for Tampa Bay.

Gronkowski (back) didn't take part in the portion of Thursday's practice that was open to the media and was running off to the side under the supervision of trainers, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Gronkowski was listed as a non-participant on Wednesday's report after he was able to perform only mobility work off to the side, so he'll presumably be listed the same way Thursday. The back-to-back DNPs are an early sign that he's not on track to play this weekend in Washington, but don't expect head coach Bruce Arians to formally rule Gronkowski out until after the team's final practice of the week Friday. If Gronkowski is sidelined for the fifth game of the season, O.J. Howard and Cameron Brate would likely split the reps at tight end once again.

Gronkowski (back) didn't practice Wednesday, but he was able to run and jog off to the side, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Greg Auman of The Athletic adds that Gronkowski did much more work than Antonio Brown (ankle) but wasn't wearing any pads. The tight end returned from his rib/lung injury Week 8 against the Saints, but he then left in the first quarter with back spasms and apparently is still dealing with the issue after a Week 9 bye. Given his age and history of back injuries, Gronkowski might be a bit more inclined toward patience this time around. However, he hasn't been ruled out, and he at least seems to be progressing faster than Brown as the Bucs prepare to face Washington on Sunday.

Gronkowski (back) was spotted at the portion of Tuesday's practice that was open to the media, but wasn't doing much other than tossing a football around, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Buccaneers won't release their first Week 10 injury report until Wednesday, but the team is holding a workout Tuesday after spending the past week on bye. The open date in the schedule provided additional time for Gronkowski to recover from the back spasms that limited him to just five snaps in his last appearance Oct. 31 against the Saints, but the future Hall of Famer still can't be considered a safe bet to play this weekend in Washington. Gronkowski's presence at Tuesday's practice is a positive sign, but a clearer idea on his Week 10 status likely won't come until the Bucs release their final practice report of the week Friday.