Gronkowski Leaves Monday's Joint Practice Session With Bears With Apparent Injury
BOSTON (CBS) -- There was another injury concern down at Gillette Stadium on Monday.
Last week, it was wide receiver Julian Edelman who had New England fans holding their collective breath after he left practice with a foot injury. Edelman returned to the practice field the next day, providing Patriots fans with some relief.
That relief lived until Monday afternoon, because another key element to New England's offensive attack left the field with an injury. This time it was All Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski, who exited Monday's joint practice session with the Chicago Bears after the first play of 7-on-7 drills:
Gronk pulled up on the first 7-on-7 route of practice. Now leaving the field with trainer Jim Whalen.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) August 15, 2016
Gronk is walking off the field may have tweeked something on 7 on 7. He came up lame on a play #WBZ
— Levan Reid (@LevanReid) August 15, 2016
Gronk pulled up on 1st route in 7 v 7 drill. Helmet off, chatted w/TB, left w/trainer to lower field for 10 min then for good #patriots #wbz
— Dan Roche (@RochieWBZ) August 15, 2016
Tough to tell what happened. Brady threw Gronk a pass, but Gronk kind of hopped up instead of trying to catch the pass
— Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) August 15, 2016
Gronk never went down to the ground. Chatted with Brian Daboll briefly. Met with trainer Jim Whalen after a couple minutes standing around.
— Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) August 15, 2016
It doesn't appear that the injury is anything serious, but any time Gronkowski leaves the field there is concern.
Monday was the first of three joint practice sessions the Patriots will host with the Bears this week, leading up to Thursday night's preseason game at Gillette. Gronkowski did not play in New England's preseason opener against the Saints last Thursday, and hasn't played in a preseason game since 2012.