Tampa Bay Buccaneers star tight end Rob Gronkowski told Fox Sports' Jay Glazer he is recovering from "four cracked ribs, one broken rib and a punctured lung" suffered during last week's loss to the Los Angeles Rams after taking a big hit from linebacker Terrell Lewis. 

Remarkably, Gronk returned to that game. But he's been ruled out of Sunday night's matchup with his former team, the New England Patriots, and ESPN's Adam Schefter reported he could miss weeks with the injury. 

Schefter added that X-rays on Gronkowski's ribs originally came back negative, since X-rays won't show hairline fractures, though further MRI testing revealed the full extent of his injuries.  

David J. Chao - ProFootballDoc @ProFootballDoc

A) Calls into question whether <a href="">#Gronk</a> should have returned to Week 3 game. <br>B) Not sure what the difference between "cracked" and "broken" rib is.<br>C) If "punctured" lung, would likely mean IR stint.<br>D) <a href="">#Gronk</a> not on IR yet with 3 games in next 12 days. <a href="">

"We held out hope all week that Gronk would be ready," a team source told Schefter. "He's a different breed."

The Buccaneers officially ruled him out Saturday. 

"He made progress but not enough," head coach Bruce Arians added.

JennaLaineESPN @JennaLaineESPN

I spoke to Bucs coach Bruce Arians on what led to Rob Gronkowski going from “game-time decision” Friday to “out.” <a href="">

It's a major loss for the Bucs. Gronkowski, 32, has been superb through three games, catching 16 passes for 184 yards and four touchdowns. Without him, Tom Brady loses one of his most trusted targets in the red zone. 

The Buccaneers are spoiled with weapons in the passing game, however, with Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Antonio Brown at wideout and Cameron Brate and O.J. Howard at tight end. 

It's a tough game for Gronkowski to miss, as he and Brady were set to return to Foxborough to face their former team and head coach, Bill Belichick.