Rob Gronkowski Fantasy

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians said that wide receiver Antonio Brown (ankle) and tight end Rob Gronkowski (lung, ribs) are out for the Week 7 game against the Chicago Bears. Neither player has practiced all week. The Bucs will also be without linebacker Lavonte David (ankle) and cornerback Richard Sherman (hamstring). With Brown out, Mike Davis and Chris Godwin will have higher ceilings against Chicago, with Tyler Johnson likely stepping into the No. 3 receiver role for quarterback Tom Brady. Gronk will miss his fourth straight game. O.J. Howard and Cameron Brate will continue to split the tight end snaps in his absence. Howard had six catches for 49 yards and his first touchdown in Week 6 and is the better touchdown-dependent TE2 bye-week filler this weekend.

Oct. 22nd • 12:29 PM

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski (ribs) wasn't practicing during the portion of Friday's session open to the media. Gronkowski, who hasn't practiced yet this week, seems trending towards another absence this Sunday against Chicago. With O.J. Howard (ankle) back on the practice field- it's looking like he and Cameron Brate will handle the tight end duties once again. Howard seems to be building some chemistry with Tom Brady, as he is coming off a game where he hauled in six passes for 49 yards and a touchdown.

Oct. 22nd • 11:28 AM

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski (lung, ribs) missed his second straight day of practice on Thursday. Gronk hasn't played since he suffered a punctured lung and fractured ribs in the Week 3 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, and it looks like he's in danger of missing his fourth straight game this weekend. Fantasy managers should be looking at other options for their tight end spot again this week. O.J. Howard played 65.3% of the offensive snaps last week, compared to 58.7% for Cameron Brate, and Howard also out-targeted Brate seven to four while catching six passes for 49 yards and his first touchdown of the season. Howard has emerged as the better TE2 dart throw if Gronk misses more time, especially if wide receiver Antonio Brown (ankle) doesn't play in Week 7 against the Chicago Bears.

Oct. 21st • 6:14 PM