Let's cut to the chase here — New England Patriots fans weren't the only ones throwing their remote controls when Rob Gronkowski was being carted off the field Sunday night.
If you drafted Gronk for your fantasy football team, A) Smart move, and B) Your fantasy playoffs likely start in two weeks. And when Gronk was in such pain after a low hit, it seemed impossible Gronk would be ready for that first fantasy playoff game. But it sounds like he'll be ready to go. He might even be back this week.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said it's unlikely Gronkowski misses more than one game, or it's possible he doesn't miss any games at all. ESPN's Dianna Russini said an MRI revealed that Gronk suffered a bruise on his right knee and did not suffer any ligament tears. He's considered week-to-week.
Oh, and the 10-1 Patriots won't lose their second most indispensable player, behind quarterback Tom Brady, for a significant amount of time.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said it's unlikely Gronkowski misses more than one game, or it's possible he doesn't miss any games at all. ESPN's Dianna Russini said an MRI revealed that Gronk suffered a bruise on his right knee and did not suffer any ligament tears. He's considered week-to-week.
ESPN's Adam Schefter said on Monday afternoon that Gronkowski is not expected to play this week and is "likely to miss multiple weeks," due to the low hit from Broncos safety Darian Stewart.
Even if Gronkowski comes back quickly, there will always be the fear of a repeat. Defenders have no chance at tackling the enormous Gronkowski up high, not to mention the fines that come with hitting a receiver in he head. While it seems like a really dangerous tactic and bad thing for the NFL to have safeties diving at receiver's knees as they catch passes, there is a peculiar resignation to that being the most proper method against Gronk. Gronkowski had his ACL torn by a similar low hit by then-Cleveland Browns safety T.J. Ward in 2013.
"I hate to see it, but it really is the only way defenders can hit now," Brady said after Sunday night's loss. "I don't think it's dirty, I just think that is how football is played now."
So while Gronkowski should be back soon, that also means every Patriots fan (and fantasy football owner) will be holding their breath every time a defensive back dives right at his legs to bring him down.
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