Rob Gronkowski could return Sunday; Aaron Hernandez won’t be watching

Rob Gronkowski could be back on the field Sunday for the New England Patriots, with a report from ESPN saying the chances of the star tight end’s first appearance of the season happening this week are 50-50.

Either way, Aaron Hernandez won’t be watching. He can’t -- TMZ reported last week that the former Patriot who teamed with Gronkowski to help start the dual-tight-end trend in the NFL is not allowed to watch any football at Bristol County Jail. None of the inmates are, according to jail policy.

Hernandez was released by the Patriots after being charged with murder in the shooting death of 27-year-old Odin Lloyd. He is being held without bail.

Chances are, Hernandez wouldn’t even want to see this year’s Patriots, who have struggled their way to a 2-0 start despite some shaky performances by young receivers that angered even usually mild-mannered quarterback Tom Brady.

Right now, Brady has thrown for three touchdowns and one interception, the same numbers he had at this point last year. But with Gronkowski, Hernandez and the since-departed Wes Welker as his primary targets, Brady had completed 67.5 % of his passes for 552 yards, compared with 52.75% and 473 yards this year with Julian Edelman as his top receiver.

Needless to say, Patriots fans will be delighted if Gronkowski, who underwent surgery on his back and forearm during the off-season, is able to make it back to the field for Sunday’s game against Tampa Bay.

Just don’t expect to hear any cheers from a certain jail cell in Bristol, Mass.

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