Earlier in the evening, another important member of the New England Patriots, linebacker Dont’a Hightower, departed with a knee injury. Arguably the greatest tight end of all time was sent back to the locker room.
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But after the game he was seen walking with only a slight limp.
In those two games Osweiler has led the Broncos to impressive wins at Chicago and at home against the previously unbeaten Patriots. Edelman is out until the postseason. However, Gronkowski was able to walk to the team bus unaided after the game and Brady was upbeat about his chances of returning to action in the near future.
After the Patriots’ quarterback posted an image of himself atop an old Broncos logo prior to Sunday night’s game, his opponent answered with a new version following its 30-24 overtime victory. “But when the game is on the line you have to let them play. I think everyone felt the same way”, Brady sports station WEEI on Monday.
“I think if you sit there and dwell on it, it might be overwhelming, but we can’t do that”, Chandler said. He has been through a lot. “He’s a tough guy”.
The Patriots are no longer undefeated; they fall to 10-1.
Carson Palmer ran for a go-ahead eight-yard touchdown with 2 minutes, 28 seconds left and tumbled after spiking the ball, as Arizona squeaked by San Francisco. That should have confidence in high that he can manage the spot if Gronkowski were to miss any time.
According to NFL Network Reporter Ian Rapoport, an MRI revealed the tight end has a minor knee strain.
“Sometimes we’re getting (the calls) and sometimes we don’t”, Brady said. “So I think one way or another he’s going to have to be a major contributor for our team”. “As a team, we’re just trying to say we have (Osweiler’s) back and hopefully when Peyton comes back hopefully we’ll have his back”.
Jack Dempsey/APBrock Osweiler led the Broncos to an impressive win over the Patriots. He did some light practicing during the week, but was ruled out for the matchup. The big tight end needed help to get to a cart, which carried him off the field.
It’s also an opportunity for youngsters like Chris Harper (whose muffed punt was devastating on Sunday), Brandon Bolden and James White to be more involved in offensive schemes.
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If he continued for the rest of this season at the pace he was on, Gronkowski would have ended the season with more than seventy receptions, over 1170 receiving yards, and eleven or twelve touchdowns.
