Hopefully this is the last one for the year.
Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski underwent tests and an MRI this morning and the results came back. He's torn his ACL and he's officially done for the season. Edit: Adam Schefter reports that he also tore his MCL.
Gronk was the centerpiece of the offense for the short time he was back, transforming the offense from a middling, if not sub-par, unit into an elite threat able to take on any team. Gronk was taken out with a clean hit, if not unfortunate, but the result was obvious. He crumpled on the field, screaming in pain. Gronk was carted off the field and taken to a nearby hospital.
Without Gronk, the Patriots will have to retinker their offense, again, as they head down the final stretch of the season. Back-ups Matthew Mulligan and Michael Hoomanawanui will likely see their playtime increase, although Ben Volin of the Boston Globe reports that the Patriots will be signing back TE/HB D.J. Williams to take Gronk's soon-to-be vacated roster spot.
Gronk's injury could be similar to Wes Welker's at the end of the 2009 season, in that he was ready to go and be a contributor in week 1 of the following season. It's another unfortunate injury that will affect a continuously derailed career.
Best of luck to Gronk with his health and recovery.