Patriots’ Rob Gronkowski leaves game vs. Jets with back injury

The veteran tight end was targeted a pair of times before exiting.

Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski left Sunday’s game against the New York Jets with a back injury and is will not return, the team said.

Gronkowski, who was questionable entering the game due to a chest injury, was walked to the locker room after the Patriots’ third drive of the game. He appeared to hit the ground hard while chasing down a deep pass from Tom Brady.

The veteran was targeted a pair of times before exiting.

Gronkowski missed the first two games of the season with a hamstring injury. Entering Sunday, he had 25 receptions for 540 yards and three touchdowns, and led the NFL with 21.6 yards per catch.

– Kenny Ducey