Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski out for season with torn ACL, MCL

Rob Gronkowski had 594 receiving yards in seven games this season. (Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

R2ob Gronkowski is out for the season with a torn ACL and MCL in his left knee, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The injury occurred with just over eight minutes remaining in the third quarter of the Patriots' 27-26 come-from-behind win over the Browns on Sunday. Browns safety T.J. Ward hit Gronkowski low, injuring the New England tight end's knee. He was brought into the locker room on a cart.

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An MRI Monday morning confirmed the tears.

Gronkowski missed the first six games of the season as he recovered from a series of surgeries on his arm and back. The Patriots (10-3) averaged 11 more points per game in the seven games he played than the first six. They were 5-2 with him in the lineup, 5-1 without.

Gronkowski had 39 catches for 592 yards — the most by a tight end in that seven-game span — and four touchdowns.

There have been 40 players who've had their season end with a torn ACL this year, up from 32 in 2012 and 25 in 2011.

New England leads the AFC East by three games over the Dolphins but trail the Broncos (11-2) for the best record in the conference.