Rob Gronkowski showed up on the early-week practice report with a thigh injury, but it wasn't necessarily going to be a big deal. Turns out it is; he's expected to miss tonight's game against Tampa Bay.
That's the word from Adam Schefter, who seldom gets these things wrong. If you were planning to start Gronk, get him out of lineups.
This does not mean everyone should run to add Dwayne Allen. Patriots have been using Allen more as a blocker, with undrafted rookie Jacob Hollister getting a few chances as a receiver. They threw Hollister a pass at the goal line last week, though it fell incomplete. So it's possible Hollister will get some looks in the passing game. Counting on Allen to step right into the Gronk role in the offense is probably a mistake. At best, Allen and Hollister will share that role.
It's the Patriots, so counting on what they're going to do is risky. But it's worth at least picking up Hollister in deeper leagues and seeing if he turns into something -- if the Gronkowski injury keeps him out for a few games.
As for tonight, the beneficiaries in a likely shootout will probably be the wideouts: Brandin Cooks, Chris Hogan, Danny Amendola. With less looks for Gronk, those guys will pick up extra targets.
--Andy Richardson