Steven Cavo
2015-11-30 06:05:30 UTC
The New England Patriots' recent string of bad injury luck just
took a turn for the unthinkable.
All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski was carted off the field with a
right knee injury late in the fourth quarter of Sunday's loss
versus the Denver Broncos.
Gronkowski immediately pounded the turf, writhing in obvious
pain -- the sign of a serious injury. The Patriots declared him
out for the game shortly thereafter.
The injury is to the same knee that was reconstructed in January
of 2014.
Earlier in the game, Gronkowski had bypassed Shannon Sharpe on
the career touchdown lists for tight ends, which means the 26-
year-old has more touchdowns than any tight end currently in the
Hall of Fame.
The Patriots lost elusive satellite back Dion Lewis in Week 9,
playmaking receiver Julian Edelman in Week 10 and saw Edelman's
replacement, Danny Amendola, leave with a knee injury in Week
11. Even as attrition began taking its toll on the AFC's best
team, Patriots fans could rest assured that their team remained
a Super Bowl favorite as long as Tom Brady and Gronkowski
escaped the wrath of the football gods.
Gronkowski's importance cannot be overstated. He has been the
NFL's most valuable non-quarterback since entering the league in
2010, anchoring New England's run game and aerial attack.
The Patriots have averaged over 32 points through Gronkowski's
76 games, the highest mark for any player in NFL history.
With Gronkowski sidelined by arm and knee injuries, the Patriots
lost to the Giants in Super Bowl XLVI, were upset by the Ravens
in the AFC Championship Game and fell to the Broncos in January
of 2014.
If he's lost for the season, the AFC is up for grabs.
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000591229/article/rob-
gronkowski-carted-off-field-after-injuring-knee
took a turn for the unthinkable.
All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski was carted off the field with a
right knee injury late in the fourth quarter of Sunday's loss
versus the Denver Broncos.
Gronkowski immediately pounded the turf, writhing in obvious
pain -- the sign of a serious injury. The Patriots declared him
out for the game shortly thereafter.
The injury is to the same knee that was reconstructed in January
of 2014.
Earlier in the game, Gronkowski had bypassed Shannon Sharpe on
the career touchdown lists for tight ends, which means the 26-
year-old has more touchdowns than any tight end currently in the
Hall of Fame.
The Patriots lost elusive satellite back Dion Lewis in Week 9,
playmaking receiver Julian Edelman in Week 10 and saw Edelman's
replacement, Danny Amendola, leave with a knee injury in Week
11. Even as attrition began taking its toll on the AFC's best
team, Patriots fans could rest assured that their team remained
a Super Bowl favorite as long as Tom Brady and Gronkowski
escaped the wrath of the football gods.
Gronkowski's importance cannot be overstated. He has been the
NFL's most valuable non-quarterback since entering the league in
2010, anchoring New England's run game and aerial attack.
The Patriots have averaged over 32 points through Gronkowski's
76 games, the highest mark for any player in NFL history.
With Gronkowski sidelined by arm and knee injuries, the Patriots
lost to the Giants in Super Bowl XLVI, were upset by the Ravens
in the AFC Championship Game and fell to the Broncos in January
of 2014.
If he's lost for the season, the AFC is up for grabs.
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000591229/article/rob-
gronkowski-carted-off-field-after-injuring-knee