New England

Gronkowski Listed on Patriots Injury Report With Concussion

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski was included on the team's injury report on Wednesday as he continues to deal with symptoms from a concussion suffered during last weekend's AFC title game.

Gronkowski and defensive lineman Deatrich Wise Jr. were both listed as "did not participate" on Wednesday due to concussions, according to the team's official injury report. Malcom Brown, Mike Gillislee and LaAdrian Waddle were listed as limited with various foot and knee injuries. The team did not practice on Wednesday.

Quarterback Tom Brady, who had been on the injury list last week after suffering a hand injury in practice, was not included on the injury report.

With only 10 days to go until Super Bowl LII, it remains unclear if Gronkowski will be ready to face the Philadelphia Eagles. According to the Boston Herald, there is optimism that Gronkowski will be cleared in time for the big game.

Dr. Robert Cantu, a concussion expert who helped write the NFL concussion protocol, also said earlier this week that with concussions, “the majority will recover in within usually two weeks. That’s why, most probably, Gronk will be back for the Super Bowl.”

But Patriots head coach Bill Belichick provided not clarity at his media availability Wednesday morning. He said only that the team is following the NFL's concussion protocol.

"We'll be compliant with the NFL injury report. When that's required, we'll put it on there," he said. "Whatever his situation is, whatever his status is, we'll put it on the injury report."

Gronkowski was taken off the field during Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars after he took a hit to the head late in the second quarter.

Belichick said his team is now focused solely on the Eagles, who he said are very dangerous.

"They have a lot of explosive players," he said. "They can score on defense. they score on offense. They're good in the kicking game, so they're really pretty good at everything, which is what you'd expect."

Belichick also spoke about Chris Long and LeGarrette Blount, former Patriots who now play for the Eagles.

"Both guys have been productive, having good years, along with a lot of the other guys on the team - solid," Belichick said.

Patriots safety Devin McCourty said he looks forward to facing his former teammates. They're "hardworking guys that, obviously, they took that same attitude with them to Philadelphia. Me and Chris had a talk weeks ago about how cool for, you know, both these teams to be in this situation," he said.

The Patriots (13-3) will face the Eagles (13-3) in US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Sunday, Feb. 4.

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