Reports: Rob Gronkowski's Injury Not Believed To Be Serious After Tight End Carted Off Field In Denver

By Michael Hurley, CBS Boston

UPDATE: The NFL Network's Ian Rapoport tweeted that Gronkowski is "unlikely" to miss more than one game with his knee injury.

BOSTON (CBS) -- "Next man up" has become a mantra commonly uttered in the halls of 1 Patriot Place and echoed throughout all corners of New England. It captures the Patriots' belief that no matter who goes down due to injury, the next man on the depth chart has to be ready and able to step in and replace the starter.

It's a philosophy that applies to every single member of the Patriots ... except for Tom Brady, and except for Rob Gronkowski.

And unfortunately for the Patriots, it was the irreplaceable Gronkowski suffered a right knee injury on Sunday night in Denver, a hit that left the hulking tight end in obvious pain and prompted a cart to remove him from the field.

Even after the Dion Lewis season-ending injury, even after the Julian Edelman regular-season-ending injury, and even after the short-term Danny Amendola injury, the belief was that the Patriots would be just fine so long as Brady and Gronkowski remained upright. Yet it was a Brady pass to Gronkowski inside the final three minutes of Sunday night's game that opened up Gronkowski to a hit that ended his night.

Fortunately for the Patriots, early reports indicated that the injury is not as severe as it initially appeared, though the team has released no official word.

The hit itself didn't look horrific, as safety Darian Stewart made a diving tackle attempt and hit Gronkowski's right knee as it was mid-air. Considering the leg wasn't planted in the turf, it was not the typical ACL/MCL tear play that we've seen many times across the league, and which Gronkowski himself suffered at the hands of T.J. Ward almost exactly two years ago.

But it was Gronkowski's reaction -- immediate writhing on the ground, screaming in pain -- that indicated this was more than just a bone bruise or something of the ilk.

Gronkowski remained down on the ground for several minutes as the training staff tended to him, and he was eventually carted off the field and taken to the X-ray room.

NFL Network's James Palmer tweeted video of Gronkowski after leaving the X-ray room, and Gronkowski was able to walk under his own power.

ESPN's Diana Russini reported that the injury was "not as bad as it looks."

Adam Schefter later added that the injury "doesn't appear to be serious."

NFL Network's Albert Breer added his own report, echoing Schefter's sentiments that the injury is not believed to be serious. The Boston Globe's Ben Volin said the same.

Gronkowski had six receptions for 88 yards and a touchdown in the game, bringing his season totals to 57 receptions, 931 yards and nine touchdowns.

What will surely make the sting worse in New England is the fact that on the drive prior to the one that included Gronkowski's injury, the tight end made a reception that would have moved the chains for a first down but instead was called back for offensive pass interference. It was Gronkowski's fifth pass interference penalty of the year, an indication that officials have perhaps been honing in on Gronkowski for potential fouls. Essentially, the 6-foot-6, 265-pound Gronkowski has been punished for being 6-foot-6, 265 pounds.

Had that offensive pass interference penalty not been called, then obviously the entire timeline of the game changes.

But that's no consolation for the Patriots, while New England holds its collective breath waiting official word on the extent of the injury. Bill Belichick offered no update on Gronkowski's status after the game, while Brady spoke about his No. 1 target and his teammate.

"He's been through a lot. He's a tough guy," Brady said of Gronkowski. "So hopefully it's not too serious. We'll see. All our fingers are crossed."

In:
• Denver Broncos
• NFL
• Rob Gronkowski
• New England Patriots