When it comes to injury information and the New England Patriots, there is very little you can trust. That is what has made figuring out what is wrong with Rob Gronkowski so difficult, and the Patriots wouldn’t have it any other way.
Gronkowski has missed two practices this week and been limited in another session. On Thursday, we learned that the knee Gronk injured in Week 12 against the Denver Broncos is still bothering him. Then, a report indicated Gronkowski missed practice so he could receive treatment on his knee — including an injection — at the hospital. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network later claimed there was no injection and that Gronkowski is “getting ready to play” Saturday.
And once Patriots nation had officially begun freaking out about Gronk’s knee, the tight end was listed on the official injury report with a back injury in addition to the knee ailment. Before the clock struck midnight on Thursday, visions of Gronkowski in a body cast were haunting Pats fans. To add to the paranoia, Gronkowski’s agent said Friday that Gronk’s back “flared up” this week.
So what exactly is going on? We have no idea, but it is a definite concern that Gronkowski is listed on the official injury report for the first time since Week 14 and missed two practices the week before a playoff game. However, you have to wonder if any of the injury news is being planted by the Patriots for gamesmanship purposes.
Mike Florio spoke with a source familiar with the Patriots organization and how the team operates in high-stakes situations like the playoffs, and that source had a simple reaction to all the Gronkowski reports: “Don’t buy into it.” In other words, we can’t rule out Bill Belichick trying to throw a wrinkle in the Kansas City Chiefs’ plans by making them think there’s a chance his team’s second-most important player could miss the game.
Anyone who saw the video of the hit Gronkowski took in Week 12 knows it is perfectly plausible that there could be lingering effects. That said, Belichick’s obsession with gaining tiny advantages is well documented. We won’t know anything until Saturday afternoon, and that’s exactly how the Patriots want it.
