Rob Gronkowski will not play for the New England Patriots against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night. The tight end officially was listed as out on the Patriots' pregame inactives list.
Gronkowski hasn't played since Nov. 18, when he suffered a broken forearm in the Patriots' blowout victory over the Indianapolis Colts.
Gronkowski practiced Friday for the first time since suffering the injury. However, a source briefed on the injury told NFL.com's Albert Breer that Gronkowski was expected to miss Sunday's game.
Breer reported earlier this week that the plan all along has been to get Gronkowski some playing time before the postseason, but that he was a long shot to return in Week 15.
Niners wide receiver Randy Moss will start in place of injured Mario Manningham, according to The Sacramento Bee. Manningham will miss the game because of a shoulder injury.