Patriots' Gronkowski (chest) misses practice

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski did not practice Wednesday, with the club specifying that he has a chest injury as a result of a hit by Seahawks safety Earl Thomas in Sunday night's 31-24 loss.

Gronkowski's absence highlights how his status for Sunday's road game against the 49ers is uncertain.

The Patriots will travel to the Bay Area on Friday, one day earlier than the norm, which accelerates the timeline as it relates to Gronkowski's availability to join the team.

ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter has been told the injury is "not overly serious" and that Gronkowski does not have a punctured lung, as has been reported.

While Gronkowski was not at practice, he was at the…