Bucs tight end Rob Gronkowski won’t be making his homecoming to New England after all. According to Jordan Schultz of ESPN, Gronkowski is officially out for the Week 4 matchup against his former team.

Gronkowski returned to practice on Friday, but was listed as doubtful on the team’s final injury report. There was some optimism that he might be able to play through the rib injury he sustained against the Rams. But the tight end will not make the trip to New England with his teammates, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.

His absence leaves just Tom Brady and Antonio Brown as ex-Patriots returning to Foxboro Sunday night. Patriots head coach Bill Belichick likes to take away what teams do best, for the Bucs that’s throwing the ball. The Bucs will miss Gronkowski this week with Godwin and Evans the likely “take-away” targets. Brown will have to step up in an expanded role for the team.

With Gronkowski out, that will thrust tight ends O.J. Howard and Cameron Brate into larger roles for the Bucs. Both tight ends are good receivers, but neither possess Gronkowski’s blocking prowess. With Giovani Bernard out as well, the Bucs could roll out more jumbo tight end sets with Josh Wells. Protecting Brady will be critical against a team that has had tremendous success getting after the quarterback on third down.