Rob Gronkowski will miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL

Rob Gronkowski will miss the rest of the season after suffering a torn ACL and damaged MCL in his right knee. Gronkowski was injured in the third quarter of New England’s 27-26 win over Cleveland when he was hit low by safety T.J. Ward at the Cleveland 34-yard line following a 21-yard reception.

Pay per head services noticed that the New England medical staff worked on Gronkowski’s leg for an extended period while he lay on the turf and he was eventually taken off the field on a cart.

The Patriots, who needed an onside kick and a last-minute touchdown to defeat the Browns, are now left scrambling without their best offensive weapon for the second time this year. Gronkowski missed the first six games of the season because he was recovering from multiple surgeries on his forearm and a procedure on his back done this offseason.

Gronkowski will be missed because he opens the offense for Tom Brady. The tight end had 39 receptions for 592 yards and four touchdowns over his seven games back in the lineup and his presence improved New England’s overall offensive firepower, as the team scored 11.2 more points per game with Gronkowski than without.

An increased responsibility will be given to Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola and tight end Michael Hoomanawanui, but it’s unlikely they’ll be able to match Gronkowski’s production.