FOXBORO — On the first practice in preparation for Super Bowl LII against the Minnesota Vikings on Feb. 4, tight end Rob Gronkowski and defensive linemen Deatrich Wise and Malcom Brown were absent during the 10-minute portion the media was allowed to view Thursday on the lower grass field behind Gillette Stadium.
The Patriots did not practice on Wednesday, but the team released a mandatory injury report that listed Gronkowski and Wise as projected non-participants due to concussions. Brown was listed as a projected limited participant because of a foot injury.
Gronkowski is in the concussion protocol after a hit he sustained from Jacksonville Jaguars safety Barry Church in the second quarter of the AFC Championship Game.