Report: Rob Gronkowski to return next week

Rob Gronkowski has been told that he could play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next week, according to reports.

The New England Patriots tight end has missed the team's first two games of the new season while recovering from off-season surgery to his forearm and back.

NFL.com says that the team hope to have the 24-year-old available for their next game, but that he will definitely play in their week four trip to the Atlanta Falcons.

Gronkowski recorded 790 receiving yards and scored 11 touchdowns last season.