Bucs tight end Rob Gronkowski played in his first game since Week 3, but not for very long. After a suspect start to the game where he was clearly not himself, Gronkowski was ruled out for the second half with back spasms. Following the game, Bucs head coach Bruce Arians had some concerning things to say about the Bucs top tight end.

“Gronk probably shouldn’t have played either,” Arians said. “But he kept begging to get in there. Then he re-injured himself.”

Bucs TE Rob Gronkowski – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

While it’s easy to appreciate Gronkowski’s spirit, it’s the responsibility of the Bucs medical and coaching staff to protect their players. If Gronkowski wasn’t able to play without risk of re-injury, why was he playing? I understand it was an important game for the Bucs against a division rival, but you can’t risk a player’s health like that. The All-Pro tight end clearly wasn’t right from the outset of the game. That’s a bad mistake from an organization that typically handles player injures extremely well.

Gronkowski finished the game with one target and no receptions. His replacements, Cam Brate and O.J. Howard, were minimally impactful in his absence. Howard caught two passes for 16 yards, and Brate caught two passes for 15 yards. Gronkowski remains at 16 catches for 184 yards and four touchdowns this season.

The Bucs will have their bye in Week 9. Their next game is in two weeks against the Washington Football Team on November 14. Hopefully Gronkowski can return by then, but we’ll have to wait and see on the significance of his re-injury.