Rob Gronkowski misses second practice this week
Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski missed Thursday’s final practice before Saturday’s AFC divisional round contest — his second absence this week — due to a reported knee injury.
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Gronkowski was also absent from Tuesday’s workouts, but then returned Wednesday on a limited basis. He has been dealing with a right knee injury since he sprained and bruised it against the Broncos in Week 12, according to the Boston Herald. However, Gronkowski only missed one game during the regular season — Week 13 against the Eagles — and wasn’t on the injury report from Weeks 15 through 17, though Gronkowski did aggravate the same knee Week 15 against the Dolphins.
Bill Belichick has managed Gronkowski under a different set of rules at practice, so the two absences this week could just be precautionary and, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, Gronkowski should be good for Saturday’s divisional matchup against the Chiefs.
Linebacker Jonathan Freeny (dislocated thumb) also wasn’t at practice Thursday — his first absence since Dec. 29 — and right guard Tre’ Jackson (knee) was absent for the second straight day.
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