Rob Gronkowski out for game Sunday night against Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals already caught one break with regards to their matchup with the New England Patriots, as future Hall of Fame QB Tom Brady will not play due to being suspended by the NFL.

Turns out, they caught another one.

Rob Gronkowski, Nate Solder & Jonathan Cooper have been downgraded to out for #NEvsAZ.

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 10, 2016

According to Mark Daniels on the Providence Journal, star tight end Rob Gronkowski was among a handful of players who were not on the team flight to Arizona that left Friday afternoon.

The Providence Journal has learned that Rob Gronkowski, Nate Solder and Jonathan Cooper were not with their teammates as they left Friday for Arizona. Unless the three players are taking other avenues to get out West, it appears that the Patriots could be without some help to open the season against the Arizona Cardinals. Another option is that the three players travel to Phoenix on Saturday.

The official injury report has all three players mentioned listed as “questionable” prior to the Patriots’ tweet. All three players were limited in practice all week. Gronkowski and Solder have been battling hamstring injuries, whereas Cooper, a former Cardinal, is dealing with a foot issue.

The Cardinals were prepared for Gronkowksi and had high praise for the tight end leading up to Sunday.

Arizona cornerback Patrick Peterson referred to the Pro Bowler as “a complete animal,” and defensive lineman Calais Campbell said he thinks Gronkowski is “arguably the best tight end to ever play the game.”

In 15 regular season games last season, Gronkowski caught 72 passes for 1,176 yards and 11 touchdowns. He added another 15 catches, 227 yards and three scores in a pair of playoff games.

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