Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski returns to practice; Tom Brady sits out

— -- New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, who has missed one game with what the team is calling a chest injury, returned to practice Wednesday. Quarterback Tom Brady, however, did not practice with the team.

It was not immediately known why Brady did not practice.

Brady took a hit in his right quadriceps from Seattle's Kam Chancellor on Nov. 13 and had been getting extra treatment, but he has not appeared on the Patriots' injury report.

Earlier Wednesday, sources told ESPN that Gronkowski was not expected to play this Sunday against the  New York Jets.  The sources said the Patriots' staff was prepping the team's offense to be without him.

He has 25 receptions for 540 yards and three touchdowns this season. If he does not play,  Martellus Bennett, who has 39 catches for 518 yards and four touchdowns this season, and Matt Lengel are the other tight ends on the roster.