Brady: Gronkowski Injury 'Makes Things Challenging' For Patriots
BOSTON (CBS) – Tom Brady knows the Patriots have a huge void to fill without Rob Gronkowski the rest of the way this season and that "nobody feels sorry" for them.
Gronkowski will have back surgery Friday in Los Angeles. Brady spoke about the loss of his tight end in his weekly radio interview with Jim Gray on Westwood One late Thursday night.
"It doesn't help losing great players and to not have Gronk out there, one of our best players and most dependable, consistent players not in the lineup makes things challenging for us, but that's what the NFL season is about. It's about overcoming challenges, adversities. We have a lot of good players on our team that are going to need to step in and fill the void and that's a big void left by such a spectacular player like Gronk. We understand the challenge that is ahead. It becomes more challenging when you lose such a great player like Gronk, but I don't think that any of us are going to give up on what we're trying to accomplish. We played games this season without him and we're going to need to reach a higher level as individuals so that we can reach a higher level as a team. Our thoughts are with him and what he's gone through. He's such a mentally tough person, he's physically tough, he's got a great energy and spirit about him, so we're all wishing him the very best and we hope he gets better as soon as possible.
Gray: Did you speak to Gronk?
"Yeah, I've seen him the last few days so I've spoken to him a few times. Again, everyone's thinking about him and what he's gone through. It's such a physical sport, it's hard to see people that you care about go through injuries and he's gone through his fair share. But I also know the resolve that he has and that will never change with him. He'll be as determined as ever to get back and get better as soon as possible."
Gray: It's very difficult to win without him – how do you approach it?
"Past performance doesn't indicate future results. I think part of being in the NFL is earning it and the guys who are in there are going to have to understand what their role is, what the coaches are asking of them and we're going to have to go out there and still try to play at a championship level. That's what our job is and it really doesn't matter who's out there you've got to find a way as an individual to bring your best and that's what's going to ultimately get the best out of the team. Nobody wants Gronk not out there. Everybody wants Gronk out there every play of every game, but that's not our reality. So we still have a job to do and we're going to try to go out and do it as well as we possibly can."
As for his own injury, Brady said his leg is better and he's excited about facing the Los Angeles Rams Sunday in Foxboro.
