Gronk Reportedly Advised Not To Fly, Cancels Event In New York
BOSTON (CBS) -- We still don't know exactly what Rob Gronkowski's injury is, or if it will keep him out of Sunday's game against the 49ers in San Francisco.
But according to The Boston Herald's Jeff Howe, Gronk's injury caused the Patriots tight end to cancel an appearance in New York on Tuesday, as he was advised not to fly with whatever is bothering him.
Gronk cancelled his EA Sports appearance today in New York because he was advised not to fly due to his lung injury, per source.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) November 15, 2016
The Patriots did not practice on Tuesday, so head coach Bill Belichick did not have anything to add on Gronk's status on his Tuesday conference call.
"The players aren't in today so we'll put a report out Wednesday after we practice and see what happens on Wednesday," said Belichick.
Conflicting reports came out on Monday night surrounding Gronkowski, with The NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reporting that Gronkowski suffered what is believed to be a punctured lung after taking a big hit from Seattle's Earl Thomas on Sunday. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported a few hours later that it's a "chest injury – not a punctured lung – that is considered 'not overly serious.'"
Gronkowski said after Sunday's loss that the hit Thomas put on him was one of the hardest he's felt in his career, but it only caused him to miss a handful of plays. The Seahawks safety even wished Gronkowski the best over social media on Tuesday:
Nothing but respect for Gronk. One of the best I've lined up against. Hoping to see him back on the field sooner than later.
— Earl Thomas (@Earl_Thomas) November 15, 2016
We'll have to see if Gronk's "no fly" order is still in effect when the Patriots leave for San Francisco later this week.