After missing practice Tuesday and being limited on Wednesday with knee aggravation, Rob Gronkowski once again was not seen before Thursday’s New England Patriots practice.
TE Rob Gronkowski is not present for the start of the Patriots' in-stadium practice today.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) January 14, 2016
The dynamic tight end is still reportedly being bothered by a knee injury that has plagued him since Week 12 when he was hit low by Denver Broncos defensive back Darian Stewart.
He re-aggravated the injury in Week 15 and was seen limping out of the stadium following the game against the Tennessee Titans, per Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald.
He’s had an extra week to rest up for this weekend’s upcoming matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, so the fact that he’s missing practice on a Thursday for a Saturday game isn’t promising.
Unless there has been more damage to the knee that has been unreported, Gronk is going to play this weekend. However, it remains to be seen if he’ll be the same dominating gridiron monster that has made him famous or if he’ll be a shell of himself.
The Pats need him at his best to beat the red-hot Chiefs, winners of 11 straight games. Kansas City’s defense is going to be after Tom Brady all game long, and he could be eaten alive if Gronkowski has issues staying on the field.