Last night a report was released stating that Rob Gronkowski may have never needed surgery on his forearm in the first place. Because of the complications from his multiple surgeries, there is now a serious concern that his forearm is unstable, which is why he has missed five games this season.
If you didn't think the news could get any worse...it just did. Albert Breer of NFL Network reports that his sources say as of now Rob Gronkowski is unlikely to play on Sunday.
Per source, as it stands now on Friday night, it doesn't look like Rob Gronkowski will be suiting up for the Patriots vs. Saints.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) October 11, 2013
This is rough news. Not only does it further solidify the belief that Gronk's forearm is not completely recovered, but it significantly hinders the New England Patriots' chances of winning against the undefeated New Orleans Saints.
Defensive tackle Tommy Kelly has been officially ruled out of Sunday's contest against the Saints. Kelly's injury significantly hurts the Patriots' depth at interior defensive line. They will rely on rookies Chris Jones and Joe Vellano, as well as Andre Neblett, a four-year veteran who was recently signed.
Leon Washington was also ruled out of Sunday's game, meaning we will likely see some combination of LeGarrette Blount and Devin McCourty returning kicks.
Here is the full injury report:
Name | Injury | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Sunday's Status |
DT Tommy Kelly | Knee | Out | Out | Out | Out |
RB Leon Washington | Ankle | Out | Out | Out | Out |
WR Danny Amendola | Groin | Limited | Limited | Limited | Questionable |
RB Brandon Bolden | Knee | Limited | Limited | Limited | Questionable |
TE Rob Gronkowski | Back/Forearm | Limited | Limited | Limited | Questionable |
RB Stevan Ridley | Knee | Limited | Limited | Limited | Questionable |
WR Matthew Slater | Wrist | Limited | Limited | Limited | Questionable |
C Ryan Wendell | Concussion | Limited | Limited | Limited | Questionable |
RT Sebastian Vollmer | Foot | Limited | Limited | Limited | Questionable |
S Tavon Wilson | Hamstring | Limited | Limited | Limited | Questionable |
WR Aaron Dobson | Neck | Limited | Limited | Full | Probable |
LB Dont'a Hightower | Knee | Limited | Limited | Full | Probable |
LB Jerod Mayo | Ankle | Limited | Limited | Full | Probable |
DE Rob Ninkovich | Groin | Limited | Limited | Full | Probable |
CB Kyle Arrington | Groin | Full | Full | ----- | |
DB Nate Ebner | Ankle | Full | Full | ----- | |
LB Jamie Collins | Not Injury Related | ----- | Out | ----- | |
DE Michael Buchanan | Not Injury Related | Out | ----- | ----- |
What are your thoughts on "Gronk Gate" and do you think the Patriots can still win on Sunday without him? Comment with your thoughts below.