Pats’ Gronkowski back on practice field after knee injury

Gronkowski was wearing a protective sleeve/brace over his right knee, and reporters watched him go through warmups before they were asked to leave, per team policy.

The workout Thursday was not in full pads and there was no indication whether the star tight end will play Sunday night at Houston.

Gronkowski suffered a bone bruise/sprained knee late in the loss to the Broncos on November 29, and he sat out of New England’s loss to the Philadelphia due to the injury.

If you’re hoping that Rob Gronkowski returns Sunday night for the Patriots, Thursday’s practice is an encouraging sign. According to Jason Cole at Bleacher Report, Gronkowski said that he will be back on the field when he is “100 percent” and there now is “no timetable” for his return. He did not play in Sunday’s loss to the Eagles. Safety Patrick Chung also returned to practice, while Julian Edelman was the only Patriot missing from practice as he remains sidelined with a foot injury.

The Patriots re-signed cornerback Rashaan Melvin to the practice squad.