Robert Kraft to miss Rob Gronkowski's Patriots Hall of Fame induction while recovering from back surgery

The New England Patriots will induct Rob Gronkowski into the team's Hall of Fame on Saturday, but one important person will not be in attendance.

Patriots owner Robert Kraft recently underwent back surgery and is "on injured reserve," forcing him to miss the festivities. The 85-year-old told ESPN's Mike Reiss that doctors have told him to stay off his feet while he recovers, which will also keep him away from the team's upcoming game on Sunday in Foxborough against the Green Bay Packers and in Week 10 when they take on the Detroit Lions in Munich, Germany.

"As much pain as I was in before having surgery, it pains me even more to miss the ceremony," Kraft said .

Last November, Gronkowski signed a one-day contract with the Patriots, allowing him to retire with the franchise he helped win three Super Bowls in nine NFL seasons. Five months later, he was voted into the Patriots' Hall of Fame as its 38th inductee.

The longtime tight end was a second-round draft pick by the Patriots in 2010 and finished his career as the franchise's leader in total touchdowns (80) and is second in receiving yards with 7,861.

Gronkowski played nine of his 11 NFL seasons in New England and was a four-time first-team All-Pro, five-time Pro Bowler, and a member of the 2010s All-Decade Team and NFL 100th Anniversary Team.

Gronkowski is eligible for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2027.