BLOOMINGTON, Minn. — The New England Patriots will have a full-strength Rob Gronkowski at their disposal on Super Bowl Sunday.
The Patriots tight end officially cleared concussion protocol Thursday, three days before his team’s matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII.
“I’ll be ready to roll in the game,” Gronkowski said during his first official media availability of Super Bowl week. “I’ll be full go, ready to roll.”
Gronkowski, who suffered his injury late in the first half of the AFC Championship Game, was a full participant in Thursday’s practice. He said he never doubted he would be able to play against Philadelphia.
“I was just going through the protocol, whatever the standards were, whatever they had me do throughout the week,” he said. “I would say they were more on the cautious side of getting me out there right away with the bye week and everything in between, which definitely helped out big time. But just did every step every day, everything went smooth, and I officially got the word (Thursday) that I was cleared. It was super nice to hear.”
He added: “We knew the whole time that I was going to be good to go.”
Gronkowski missed Super Bowl LI last year as he recovered a season-ending back injury that required surgery to repair. He came back strong this season, leading the Patriots in catches, receiving yards and receiving touchdown en route to a first-team All-Pro selection.
“I’m feeling pretty good,” said Gronkowski, who missed just one game due to injury this season. “It feels good to be out on the field progressing throughout the week — last week and this week. It feels good to be out there with my teammates and to be prepared for Sunday.”
