FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Patriots’ third Super Bowl appearance in the past four years already has a defining storyline.
The status of Patriots All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski, who left the AFC championship game with a concussion, will loom large over the next two weeks.
Gronkowski left the AFC championship in the second quarter after a violent helmet-to-helmet hit by Jacksonville Jaguars safety Barry Church. He was flagged for a 15-yard personal foul on the play, and Gronkowski almost immediately left the sideline to go into concussion protocol in the locker room. Gronkowski was initially ruled questionable to return before later being downgraded to out.