Patriots reporters aren’t exactly sure how Rob Gronkowski injured his thigh
The Patriots tight end was a late scratch for Thursday night's game.
Patriots fans learned late Thursday afternoon that their team would be without Rob Gronkowski against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, after the star tight end sustained a thigh injury. Yet, the question remains: How?
ESPN’s Adam Schefter was first to report Thursday that Gronkowski would miss the game, roughly 90 minutes before the Patriots officially listed him as inactive.
No sure thing Rob Gronkowski is active tonight and if he is, he will be limited, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 5, 2017
Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski is battling a thight contusion that will limit his snaps tonight, if he plays.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 5, 2017
Updated: Patriots’ TE Rob Gronkowski is not expected to play tonight vs Bucs, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 5, 2017
#Patriots inactives. #NEvsTB #TNF pic.twitter.com/8czFVkfMNg
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) October 5, 2017
The apparent severity of Gronkowski’s injury caught many by surprise, given that he had traveled with the Patriots to Tampa Bay and hadn’t been listed on the team’s injury report until Wednesday, during which they only had a walkthrough practice.
“It’s unclear how one might injure a thigh at a walkthrough, but such is apparently the case,” wrote Jeff Howe, a Patriots beat reporter for the Boston Herald.
https://twitter.com/blkz0/status/916059101528018944
Yes. I’m as confused as you. https://t.co/zPj75RdFGN
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) October 5, 2017
Howe wasn’t the only one — especially since Gronkowski had been expected to play as recently as Thursday morning. However, upon his arrival at the Buccaneers’ stadium, a wrap could be seen around his left leg.
Rob Gronkowski, with a wrap around his left thigh, arrives at Raymond James Stadium. Per @AdamSchefter, Gronkowski is not expected to play. pic.twitter.com/YOaz0RGxyq
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) October 5, 2017
GRONK@AdamSchefter reporting @RobGronkowski is NOT EXPECTED to play tonight vs #Buccaneers despite being with the team @RJStadium #wbz pic.twitter.com/KloXRFvxXJ
— Scott Sullivan (@sullybunZ) October 5, 2017
According to Schefter, Gronkowski’s injury was a thigh “contusion” — or a severe bruise — which had everyone asking the same questions: How could he sustain such a severe injury during Wednesday’s walkthrough? Did he injure it during the walkthrough?
I wonder how many plays the Patriots prepared with the thought they’d have Rob Gronkowski, who somehow got hurt in a walkthrough practice.
— Henry McKenna (@henrycmckenna) October 5, 2017
Gronk was added to the injury report Wednesday. So, he bruised his thigh in a walk-through? https://t.co/eWOylnwQ6P
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) October 5, 2017
https://twitter.com/ezlazar/status/916062801159958534
Ugh! Wonder when this happened as Pats had walkthroughs all week? #Patriots #wbz https://t.co/9Z4gBIp7N3
— Dan Roche (@RochieWBZ) October 5, 2017
It appears Patriots reporters and fans alike may have to wait until the postgame press conference to find out, even if Bill Belichick has never been particularly forthcoming about his players’ injuries.
