New England Patriots fans had every right to be concerned when Rob Gronkowski missed last week’s game due to a back injury he suffered in practice, but it sounds like the team was just exercising caution with the star tight end.
After he missed practice on Wednesday, Gronkowski was back on the field Thursday and participated in drills involving contact.
Rob Gronkowski is back at practice today. Watched him align in a three-point stance and then thrust up against a teammate holding a blocking pad, which is one indication of his back injury improving.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) October 25, 2018
Gronkowski has had multiple back surgeries since college, so there is no way he would be taking part in blocking drills if the Patriots were concerned he might be dealing with another serious injury. Initial reports indicated that whatever ailment Gronk dealt with last week was minor, and his return to practice on Thursday supports that.
There were some indications that Gronkowski lost focus during New England’s Week 6 win over the Kansas City Chiefs, but he has been dealing with an ankle injury for much of the season as well. Perhaps the week off will be beneficial for him.
