Report: Gronkowski unlikely to play Thursday

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is getting closer to returning to action, but the Boston Herald reported Monday that he is "unlikely" to play in Thursday's game against the New York Jets.

The Patriots have not yet officially ruled Gronkowski out for the game as he continues to recover from offseason surgeries on his forearm and back.

Gronkowski practiced with the team in full pads for the first time last week, but he did not play in the opener against the Buffalo Bills.

The Patriots had said originally that they did not expect Gronkowski to return until late September.

Gronkowski has been named to the Pro Bowl the past two seasons, and he caught 11 touchdown passes last year.