Rob Gronkowski’s Black Jersey Indicates Tight End Was One of Patriots’ Practice Players of Week

FOXBORO, Mass. — Rob Gronkowski didn’t suit up against the Saints, but apparently the tight end had a great week of practice.

Gronkowski walked into the locker room on Thursday with a black practice jersey, indicating he was one of the team’s practice players of the week. Those players wear black, rather than New England’s typical white or navy blue practice jerseys.

Gronkowski reportedly practiced as Jimmy Graham last week to get the Patriots prepared for the big Saints tight end. Whatever Gronkowski did worked, New England held Graham to zero catches on six targets.

Gronkowski has been practicing since Week 1, but he has yet to suit up for a game. His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said Dr. James Andrews is Gronkowski’s supervising doctor and that the tight end has not been cleared yet.

Fellow tight end Matthew Mulligan also carried a black practice jersey.

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