INDIANAPOLIS — New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski promised that his injured left ankle was not an issue in Super Bowl XLVI.
“I was 100 percent out there,” Gronkowski said after the Patriots’ 21-17 loss tonight. “I was good to go out there.”
Except his teammates told a different story. Quarterback Tom Brady said he wasn’t sure if Gronkowski could even play the way he looked at practice Thursday. Receiver Deion Branch said 75 percent of NFL players in Gronkowski’s position would not have played.
Despite the injury his father called a high ankle sprain, Gronkowski toughed it out in order to help his team in the championship game. His production was far below normal: two catches for 26 yards.
He at times hopped after a play to avoid putting pressure on his ankle, and the Giants challenged his injury by applying contact to him off the line.
In the first half, Gronkowski was mainly a decoy for the Patriots. His first catch came with about three minutes remaining in the first half, when he turned around and leaned backward for a 20-yard gain.
Gronkowski’s injury may also have been a factor on Brady’s fourth-quarter interception. Under pressure, Brady heaved downfield to his tight end, but Giants linebacker Chase Blackburn was able to get position on the hobbled Gronkowski and picked off the pass.
Gronkowski’s ankle was heavily taped for the game. While his injury normally keeps players out for at least a few weeks, Gronkowski had to be back on the field two weeks after the AFC Championship Game.
Reports have said Gronkowski may need offseason surgery but he dismissed that today.
High ankle spains can be painful and very slow to heal. Techniques to help expedite the healing process include ice, rest, taping, immobilization, antiinflammatories, physical therapy.