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Gronkowski's Dad: High Ankle Sprain For Patriots Tight End

BOSTON (CBS) -  The Patriots have been quiet about tight end Rob Gronkowski's ankle injury, but his father is shedding a little light on the ailment.

Gordy Gronkowski said in an interview with WIVB in Buffalo his son suffered a high ankle sprain in the AFC Championship against the Ravens, but with two weeks to recuperate, expects him to be fine for the Super Bowl.

The Boston Globe has since reported the Patriots consulted foot and ankle specialist Robert Anderson in Charlotte about the injury. The Pats tight end will likely need a scope after the Super Bowl.

Sources told WBZ-TV's Dan Roche after the AFC Championship game that Gronkowski should be fine for the big game on February 5.

Felger & Mazz Discuss The Injury: 

Gronkoswki, whose 17 touchdowns this season set a new NFL record for receiving scores by a tight end, suffered the injury in the third quarter against the Ravens. After a 23-yard reception, Gronk's ankle turned awkwardly and the tight end had to leave the field. He returned a few minutes later, but was seen in a walking boot after the game.

Bedard On T&R: Gronk Will 'Be Good Enough' For Super Bowl

The second-year tight end was the only player to miss practice on Thursday. The Pats will practice again on Friday before leaving for Indianapolis on Sunday.

Read: Levan Reid's Patriots Blog

Although it appears Gronkowski will be good to go next Sunday, the Patriots know how much they would miss him if he can't suit up.

"If he's not here, then it's obviously going to be a lot tougher on me," said fellow tight end Aaron Hernandez on Thursday. "He draws so much attention because of how big he is, how physical, his speed. So it makes it a lot easier on me. It makes me into a better player."

"I think everyone deals with bumps and bruises this time of year. It's the Super Bowl so we're all trying to get out there and be healthy," said quarterback Tom Brady, who would miss Gronkowski's presence the most. "It would suck to miss this game. You put all the work in over the course of the entire year and to have the opportunity to play in this game, you know everyone is going to be doing everything they can to be out there."

Brady has a similar situation four years ago, suffering an injury in the AFC Championship game against the Chargers that required him to wear a boot leading up to Super Bowl XLII.

But it was going to take a lot more than an injury to keep Brady out of that game.

"Yeah, I wasn't going to miss that game. I don't miss many. I certainly wasn't going to miss that one," he said.

And judging by the way Gronkowski plays, leaving it all out on the field, there is little doubt he'll be out there in when the Pats and Giants take the field in Indy.

Tune in to Super Bowl XLVI on 98.5 The Sports Hub on February 5, the only place you can hear the local call of the game!

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