ST. PAUL, Minn. – Two of the key New England Patriots, tight end Rob Gronkowski and cornerback Malcom Butler, weren’t available for Super Bowl LII opening night at the Excel Energy Center.
Gronkowski suffered a concussion in the second quarter of the Patriots’ 24-20 win over Jacksonville in the AFC championship game on Jan. 21. He returned to practice Saturday on a limited basis but remains in the concussion protocol.
One of the NFL’s most feared offensive weapons, Gronkowski had one reception for 21 yards against Jacksonville and has 10 career postseason touchdown catches.
Butler, the hero of the Super Bowl XLIX win over Seattle with his late interception of Russell Wilson, missed Monday night’s event because of an illness, the team said.