Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski has taken the field for the first time since the AFC Championship. The Patriots' most recent practice participation report lists the All-Pro tight end as a "limited" participant.
While reports have been circulating for the past week and a half that Gronkowski will indeed play in Super Bowl XLVI, this is the first tangible evidence that Gronkowski's condition is indeed improving. All indications are that Gronkowski will take the field for Super Bowl XLVI. While we can still sit back and debate his effectiveness, debating whether or not he actually plays, at this point, seems pointless.
The rest of the Patriots participation report remained constant, with no other players missing practice. Dane Fletcher, Pat Chung, Kyle Love, Logan Mankins, Brandon Spikes, Wes Welker were part of a group of ten players listed as "limited" in practice. Deion Branch, Dan Connolly, Matt Light, Matt Slater, and James Ihedigbo were all listed as having fully participated in practice despite illness or injury.