Rob Gronkowski will be missing from week 12 of Fox NFL Sunday coverage, following a public apology from Terry Bradshaw to the New England Patriots icon.

Dallas Cowboys legend Jimmy Johnson is set to step in for Gronkowski on the programme, as announced by the broadcaster on social media.

This comes after Pittsburgh Steelers legend Bradshaw was compelled to apologise live on air after a playful jab at fellow analyst Gronkowski.

The former four-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback was discussing Detroit Lions' victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars when he mistakenly suggested that Gronkowski was a stand-in on the show, rather than a regular analyst.

Bradshaw had implied that the ex-tight end was temporarily replacing Johnson, who had been given some time off. This remark was met with a sharp response from Gronkowski and fellow pundit Michael Strahan, who retorted: "He's not filling in, he's here all the time."

Gronkowski also chimed in: "Wow, yeah, I'm part of the show Terry."

Bradshaw quickly backpedalled, saying: "Okay, I made a mistake. All right, I apologise, Gronk, you know I love you."

While Gronkowski is seen more as a contributor than a regular analyst for the Fox network, he has been working full-time with the broadcaster since 2022.

He had stepped in for Johnson that particular week, as the 81-year-old was given some time off.

It appears that Gronkowski  has been granted some time off, with the week 12 line-up featuring host Curt Menefee and analysts Bradshaw, Johnson, Strahan, Howie Long and Jay Glazer.

It remains unclear whether Gronkowski's absence from the programme is linked to Bradshaw's previous mishap, but fans can rest assured that the four-time Super Bowl champion will be back on the Fox screen soon enough.