Rob Gronkowski returns to Pats practice; Tom Brady sits due to knee

— -- 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 due to a knee injury. 

Brady took a hit in his right quadriceps from Seattle's Kam Chancellor on Nov. 13 and had been getting extra treatment, but he had not appeared on the Patriots' injury report prior to Wednesday. Brady threw four touchdown passes last Sunday against San Francisco.

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 was limited in practice Wednesday. 

Gronkowski 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.