Rob Gronkowski Absent, Tom Brady Present For Patriots Practice On Wednesday
BOSTON (CBS) -- On Wednesday morning, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said "I don't know" when asked what the contingency plans might be if Rob Gronkowski is unable to play this weekend in San Francisco.
By Wednesday afternoon, the coach likely has a better idea, as the star tight end was absent from the team's practice.
Gronkowski, who suffered a chest injury on Sunday night vs. the Seahawks, was the team's lone absence at practice. Quarterback Tom Brady, who absorbed a hit to the leg that left him limping after the loss, was present.
Gronkowski missed the first two games of the season with a hamstring injury. He leads the Patriots with 540 receiving yards, which he's amassed on just 25 receptions. His average of 21.6 yards per reception is best in the NFL. He's also scored three touchdowns in his seven games.
It was first reported that he suffered a punctured lung during Sunday's game, but a later report indicated the injury was less severe.
