Rob Gronkowski Might Not Miss Any Games After All

Photo via AP

Rob Gronkowski left Sunday night’s game against the Denver Broncos after safety Darian Stewart collided with the 6-foot-6 tight end’s knee while breaking up a pass. It was a nightmarish moment of Patriots fans, one that made the 30-24 road loss even harder to swallow.

New England beat writers immediately analyzed every motion Gronk made on his way to the locker room, from the estimated amount of weight placed on that precious right leg to the complex machinations of his sitting motion. Now, an encouraging prognosis from NFL.com reporter Ian Rapoport:

Sounds like #Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski (knee) is unlikely to miss more than one game, I'm told. In fact, he may not even miss that.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 30, 2015

That whooshing sound you may have heard was the collective sigh across all New England, followed by a subsequent, bitter sip of full-priced Dunks.

If and when Gronkowski is cleared for action, head coach Bill Belichick and the Patriots face a decision of whether to sit the 26-year-old, who has more touchdowns than any tight end currently in the Hall of Fame. With a weak schedule ahead and a roster already ravaged by injuries, the Pats may rest Brady’s most devastating weapon as long as needed.