AP

The Patriots are getting some work in against the Redskins this week, but they’re not using one of their biggest stars.

According to Ben Volin of the Boston Globe, Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is being held out of the joint workouts.

There have been no reported setbacks in Gronkowski’s return from knee surgery.

He said recently he wasn’t going to change his playing style, but the Patriots are clearly modifying his work load so that he’s ready for the regular season opener. He’s been doing individual work during Patriots camp.

If that means not letting him work against players who don’t have the same goal, and would view him as a bit of a target, so be it.