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FOXBORO, Mass. — The replays bordered on gruesome, as Patriots superstar tight end Rob Gronkowski got his left leg tangled up in a mess with Ravens safety Bernard Pollard.
At the time, it was difficult to tell if Gronkowski tore up his knee, broke his leg, ripped apart his ankle or all of the above. He immediately went to the locker room but returned to the field after only missing seven plays.
Gronkowski's left ankle was swollen in the locker room after the Patriots' 23-20 victory against the Ravens, and he left the stadium in a walking boot. Yet, he said he'd be all right and didn't seem worried about his status for the Super Bowl.
"It's all good," Gronkowski said. "Just watch the replay, and whatever you see, you see. I'm all good. I'll be ready."
Pollard has now claimed the Patriots' their biggest offensive weapons. As a member of the Chiefs, he ended quarterback Tom Brady's season in 2008. Then, with the Texans in 2009, Pollard was credited with the tackle on the play in which wide receiver Wes Welker tore his ACL, though Pollard had nothing to do with the injury. Pollard wasn't guilty of any wrongdoing with the Gronkowski tackle, either, but the coincidence remains.
While it looked bad as Gronkowski left the field, he left no doubt about his availability for next week.
"I'll be looking forward to [the Super Bowl]," Gronkowski said.
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