Rob Gronkowski injury update: Will Patriots tight end play in Super Bowl?

Rob Gronkowski missed the second half of the AFC Championship Game with a concussion, but will the Patriots All-Pro tight end be ready for the Super Bowl?

The Patriots didn’t have Rob Gronkowski when they made their second half comeback against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC Championship Game, but they’ll need him for the Super Bowl. The Patriots All-Pro tight end missed the second half vs. the Jaguars with a concussion and his status for the Super Bowl against the Philadelphia Eagles has been up in the air.

You can’t put a timetable on the recovery from concussions as the severity is different for everyone and everyone recovers differently from the brain trauma. Gronkowski remains in the concussion protocol eight days ahead of the Super Bowl but there are some positive signs.

Gronkowski returned to practice on Saturday and in full pads.

Seeing Gronkowski back on the field, especially in full pads, is a very encouraging sign for the Patriots that he’ll be able to suit up for the Super Bowl on Feb. 4.

While the official clearance has yet to happen, Patriots fans should brace for that to happen in the next few days depending on how Gronkowski checked out after the practice. Having Gronkowski back on the field, even just for a practice, is a great emotional and psychological boost for Tom Brady, Danny Amendola and the rest of the Patriots.

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Seeing the All-Pro tight end and future Hall of Famer running around and snagging in balls is a clear sign that he’ll be healthy and ready to go, but again, it’s a concussion, so I’d venture a guess that Gronkowski will take it easy the next day or two before ramping it up on Tuesday when the Patriots prepare to install their game plan for the Eagles.

Provided everything checks out, Gronkowski should be cleared and named the starter by middle of the coming week.