ROB Gronkowski has made his eagerly-awaited return to Fox NFL Sunday – only to get targeted by a hilarious prank from his co-stars.

The Fox analyst was absent from last week’s edition of the show due to his new role with the network.

Rob Gronkowski returned to the Fox NFL Sunday team in Week 4Credit: Fox Sports

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There was one member of the team missing as the crew played a prank on the former tight endCredit: Fox Sports

Michael Strahan struggled to keep a straight face during the hilarious segmentCredit: Fox Sports
Gronkowski took up his place alongside host Curt Menefee to preview Week 4 of the NFL season.

The four-time Super Bowl winner was joined by Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long, and Michael Strahan.

But there was no place for legendary coach Jimmy Johnson, who enjoyed a week off from the broadcast.

To welcome Gronk back, the NFL Sunday crew aired a prank they recorded in honor of his “rookie season.”

In the short clip, the panel – who are all in on the joke apart from Gronk – discuss a ‘Rich Russo’ starting for the Dallas Cowboys at tight end.

Jay Glazer claims he had received a tip-off from Cowboys owner Jerry Jones that Russo – who doesn’t exist – will be playing.

Strahan and Bradshaw make a case for his inclusion, as a visibly confused Gronk appears to nod along.

The former Patriots tight end – who believes he is live on air – is eventually asked his thoughts on the subject and styles out an answer.

“You know he’s been out for a little bit so he might be a little rusty coming back,” Gronk said, as Strahan struggled to contain his laughter.

“But I think they’re going to give him the opportunities, that’s for sure.”

Rob Gronkowski leaves Kay Adams stunned by claiming ‘Chiefs get way more calls than Patriots did’ before backtracking
Moments later, the segment falls apart as the cast can no longer keep a straight face – and Gronk realizes he’s been tricked.

“I learnt two things about myself from that clip,” Gronk laughed on Sunday’s show, watching the footage back.

“One, that I am a funny guy. Two, that I am always ready,” he laughed.

“Gronk gets pranked and rolls with it perfectly,” laughed one fan on X.

‘That’s what makes him so great’

New England Patriots legend Rob Gronkowski says Tom Brady’s greatness is down to consistency.

Brady continued playing until he was 45, leaving many people asking what was the secret to his longevity – and his longtime friend has the answer.

“You really don’t see that anymore in this generation, he really practices what he preaches,” Gronk told former teammate Julian Edelman, 38, on the Games with Names podcast.

“There are no and, ifs, or buts about Tom Brady being Tom Brady.

“What he puts out there, what he preaches, he practices it.

“There’s no doubt about it. There are a lot of people out there on social media, or at a lecture, they’re reminiscing about, ‘This is what you gotta do to be great, this is what you gotta do to be successful.’

“Well Tom Brady does what he says on a daily basis.

“He takes care of his body, he takes care of his mind, he competes, and that’s what makes him so great.”

“Loved it and way to go Gronk. He can laugh at himself……not many people can do that. Love it. Made me like him even more. Love FOX NFL SUNDAY,” said another.

“That prank the Fox pregame show played on Gronk was legit funny,” added a third.

“That prank on Gronk on FOX’s pregame show was fantastic,” laughed a fourth.

Gronkowski’s role has changed at Fox this season.

He is no longer a full-time analyst with the Sunday crew and will instead appear across Fox’s gameday programming.

As such, he will be a contributor to Fox NFL Sunday rather than a regular feature.