Rob Gronkowski had seven catches for 137 yards and two scores as the Patriots dominated Indianapolis 59-24 on Sunday, but, after New England’s final extra point, the tight end left the game.
Though initially some speculated Gronkowski had hurt his leg, Shutdown Corner reports he suffered a broken forearm on the play. He is scheduled to undergo surgery on Monday to repair the arm, but he will still miss four to six weeks. At best, Gronkowski returns at the end of the regular season.
The Boston Globe reports that the typically reluctant to release information Patriots weren’t entirely forthcoming. Two and a half hours after the game, they didn’t confirm Gronkowski’s broken forearm.
“He left the game with an arm injury,” Patriots spokesman Stacey James said. “There was no update to that.”
Interestingly, the Patriots’ failure to confirm the injury may have been a violation of NFL policy.
”Team personnel are responsible for reporting in-game injury information factually and accurately as soon as possible for the benefit of the network television audience and the other media covering our games,” the NFL’s media policy states.
Gronkowski set an NFL record for tight ends with 17 touchdowns last year, catching 90 passes for 1,327 yards before being injured in the postseason and not factoring in much to New England’s Super Bowl loss. Gronkowski has also gained some notoriety for his lifestyle off the field as a perceived party animal.
The Patriots are without their other first string tight end, Aaron Hernandez, as well. Hernandez has missed several weeks with a sprained right ankle.