Nothing is more painful than an early exit from the NFL playoffs. Rob Gronkowski is willing to put that notion to the test.

The Patriots TE -- despite spending time in a Boston hospital this week and missing practice -- will suit up against the Chiefs on Saturday, per NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport. Gronkowski is yet to fully recover from knee and back issues, but plans to play through the pain.

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It's as close as Tom Brady is going to get to his full compliment of weapons.

Along with Gronkowski, 11 other Patriots players are listed as questionable for Saturday's tilt.

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NAME

POSITION

INJURY

GAME STATUS

Danny Amendola

WR

Knee

Questionable

Scott Chandler

TE

Knee

Questionable

Justin Coleman

CB

Concussion

Questionable

Nate Ebner

DB

Hand

Questionable

Julian Edelman

WR

Foot

Questionable

Jonathan Freeny

MLB

Hand/Not Injury Related

Questionable

Rob Gronkowski

TE

Knee/Back

Questionable

Dont'a Hightower

OLB

Knee

Questionable

Chandler Jones

DE

Abdomen/Toe

Questionable

Rob Ninkovich

DE

Shin

Questionable

Sebastian Vollmer

T

Ankle

Questionable

LaAdrian Waddle

T

Shoulder

Questionable

Not helping Gronkowski's status is Kansas City's stout defense against TEs. Only the Chargers were able to accrue over 100 yards receiving all season.

Admittedly, the Chiefs never faced a TE the likes of Gronkowski this season. But at less than 100 percent, this won't be the same Gronkowski that's notorious for torturing defenses.

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