Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski ruled out vs. Buccaneers

— -- New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is not playing Thursday night against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers because of a left thigh injury, the team announced.

The Patriots' star tight end was a late addition to the team's injury report Wednesday and had been listed as questionable for the game.

He had not been listed on the injury report Monday or Tuesday.

Gronkowski also didn't appear to be ailing when he met with reporters late Tuesday afternoon. He played all 70 offensive snaps in Sunday's loss to the Carolina Panthers.

Late Tuesday, Gronkowski didn't indicate his availability would be in question when he talked about the quick turnaround for a Thursday night game.

"It's definitely a challenge. It's tough to already play a game Sunday and then be ready again for the following Sunday," he said. "As I get older, too, I just see the difference, too. Just to prepare for a Thursday night game is totally a lot different.

"You're on top of it right away. You've got to be on top of your body right away, starting yesterday, maybe do some overtime extra stuff tonight. But to be ready, to be prepared, you've got to go full in this week. Then in the back of your head you've got some rest over the weekend. So just go full in, getting ready for the game Thursday night, and you'll be good."

Entering Thursday night's game, Gronkowski led the Patriots with 318 receiving yards this season. He also had 20 receptions and two touchdown catches in the first four games.

The Patriots expect Gronkowski and running back Rex Burkhead (ribs) to be ready for their next game in 10 days against the New York Jets, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

ESPN's Mike Reiss contributed to this report.