FOXBORO — Patience is paramount in regard to the biggest injury news the Patriots face heading into Super Bowl LII.
Rob Gronkowski is in the NFL’s concussion protocol following a helmet-to-helmet hit he took from Jaguars safety Barry Church in the second quarter of Sunday’s AFC Championship Game. Pats fans can only wait and wish that their tight end will be ready for the Feb. 4 kickoff against the Philadelphia Eagles.
“He was in pretty good spirits today when I spoke to him,” special teams captain Slater said of Gronkowski.
The All-Pro must graduate through a five-step process before returning to practice with the Patriots, and must be cleared by both the team doctor and an independent neurological consultant -- jointly approved by the league and the NFL Players Association -- for that to happen.