UPDATE (12:20 a.m. ET): Good news, New England Patriots fans. The team apparently believes Rob Gronkowski’s knee injury isn’t serious, according to multiple reports.
More testing likely and further updates ahead, but one source just texted this on Gronk's leg injury: "Doesn't appear to be serious."
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 30, 2015
#Patriots do not believe that TE Rob Gronkowski suffered a serious knee injury, source said. More tests tomorrow, but a sigh of relief.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 30, 2015
Sources tell me pending MRI, Rob Gronkowski's injury is not as bad as it looked. #Patriots
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) November 30, 2015
We obviously won’t know Gronkowski’s status for sure until after his MRI, but the tight end was walking around in the Patriots’ locker room under his own power after the 30-24 overtime loss, according to those on the scene in Denver, including NESN.com’s Doug Kyed.
Doesn't look like Gronk has a knee brace. Walked out of the locker room slowly but with no apparent limp.
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) November 30, 2015
ORIGINAL STORY: The New England Patriots couldn’t afford to lose many more players entering Sunday night’s game. But that’s exactly what happened against the Denver Broncos.
The Patriots and their fans watched a potential nightmare scenario unfold late in the fourth quarter when Rob Gronkowski went up for a Tom Brady pass. Broncos safety Darian Stewart knifed in to deliver a shot directly to Gronkowski’s knee, leaving the Patriots tight end writhing on the turf in pain.
https://vine.co/v/iaE5q71rnnt
Here’s a slow-motion look at the play, which shows Gronk’s knee whipping in an ugly direction.
https://vine.co/v/iaE5HQPpwKV
Gronkowski was carted to the locker room, and the Patriots quickly ruled him out of the game.
#Patriots injury update: Rob Gronkowski, knee, out. #NEvsDEN
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) November 30, 2015
The 26-year-old was seen walking to the Patriots’ locker room under his own power, however. He received X-rays on his knee, according to NFL Network’s James Palmer.
More Gronk out of locker room pic.twitter.com/mhxFTtiTUR
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) November 30, 2015
Gronk just left the x Ray room pic.twitter.com/nGcMOD4keS
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) November 30, 2015
Thumbnail photo via Chris Humphreys/USA TODAY Sports Images