Tight end Gronkowski was limited to seven appearances in the 2013 season after seriously injuring ligaments in the same joint. “Our fingers are crossed”, Brady said. “He’s got a young quarterback he’s working with right now going on his third start, then he’s got Trevor and now he’s got a new guy”. It is hard to see your friends get taken down like that. So instead of thinking about 16-0, the Patriots can worry about playoff position. They could seal that division with a win against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, but the Patriots may be tempted not to rush their leading receiver back with tougher, post-season games to come.
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San Diego (3-8) snapped a six-game losing streak with last Sunday’s 31-25 win at Jacksonville, at least temporarily quieting the noise that suggested coach Mike McCoy’s job may be in jeopardy.
National Football League teams don’t like to share more than is obligated when it comes to injuries. He was knocked out with season-ending injuries in back-to-back seasons in 2012-13, and Sunday night’s hit appeared as if it could do so again.
Gronkowski, hit low by safety Darian Stewart while lunging for an incomplete pass, left the field on a cart and was seen after the game in the locker room, walking without assistance but declining to take any media questions. And maybe they won’t get the top seed and home field thanks to the absences of Gronk (minor knee strain), Hightower (MCL strain), Jamie Collins (illness), Julian Edelman (broken foot), Danny Amendola (knee strain) and Dion Lewis (torn ACL). Asked Monday if the news was encouraging, Belichick declined to give details.
“We’re totally committed to getting our quarterback, getting Peyton healthy, and getting him back and nothing’s changed”, Kubiak said, via ESPN. Gronkowski has 57 receptions this season for 931 yards and nine touchdowns. “He did say there’s no immediate, quick or magic fix or can’t guarantee you this – that’s why we’re kind of going one week at a time”. “He is going to be a major contributor for our team”.
On the winning play, Osweiler, who swears he never let a day go by where he didn’t learn a lesson from Manning, diagnosed the defense and checked into a run.
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“I think the No. 1 thing that’s impressed me is I think he understands exactly what he needs to do for the team to be successful”, Kubiak said of Osweiler.
