NFL Playoffs Patriots vs Chiefs: Thursday Injury Report - Rob Gronkowski One of Three Absentees

In two days, the New England Patriots will enter the 2015 NFL playoffs, hosting the Kansas City Chiefs. To prepare for the game, the team held practice sessions on four straight days. Today, the last of those four sessions took place, and New England's latest injury report will therefore be a good indicator of who we can or cannot expect to see on Saturday.

Let's take a look at it (via patriots.com):

LB Jonathan Freeny (Not Injury Related): DNP

TE Rob Gronkowski (Knee): DNP

OG Tre' Jackson (Knee): DNP

WR Danny Amendola (Knee): LP

TE Scott Chandler (Knee): LP

CB Justin Coleman (Concussion): LP

SS Nate Ebner (Hand): LP

WR Julian Edelman (Foot): LP

LB Dont'a Hightower (Knee): LP

DE Chandler Jones (Abdomen/Toe): LP

DE Rob Ninkovich (Shin): LP

OT Sebastian Vollmer (Ankle): LP

OT LaAdrian Waddle (Shoulder): LP

QB Tom Brady (Ankle): FP

OG Josh Kline (Shoulder): FP

WR Brandon LaFell (Foot): FP

FS Devin McCourty (Ankle): FP

After taking part in yesterday's session, tight end Rob Gronkowski and linebacker Jonathan Freeny did not practice today. While Gronkowski is expected to play on Saturday, Freeny's status is in question due to his non-injury related absence. However, with starting linebacker Dont'a Hightower scheduled to return from injury, a potential absence by one of the position's back-ups would not be that big of a blow. Tomorrow, we will know if Freeny will be forced to sit out the upcoming game.

Given that he missed his second straight practice, it does seem likely that offensive guard Tre' Jackson won't suit on Saturday. In his place, fellow rookie Shaq Mason could start at guard - or maybe even center Bryan Stork with David Andrews snapping the ball to Tom Brady.

Other than the status changes of Gronkowski and Freeny, today's injury report reads just like yesterday's.