Tough loss for the New England Patriots and another terrible setback for tight end Rob Gronkowski. He was carted off the field during the third quarter of the Patriots game against the Cleveland Browns after hauling a pass from quarterback Tom Brady then getting hit directly in the knee by Browns safety T.J. Ward.
Gronkowski had missed the first six games of the season recovering from back and forearm surgeries and his return proved important for the Patriots. In six games back he caught 37 passes for 560 yards and four touchdowns.
FOX Sports 1 Insider Mike Garafolo reported:
Source says Rob Gronkowski suffered what’s believed to be a torn ACL. MRI tomorrow to confirm. Not surprising but another bad break for him.
Signed to a lucrative contract extension during the 2012 offseason, Gronkowski has become a centerpiece of the Patriots. He set an NFL record for tight ends with 17 receiving touchdowns during the 2011 regular season.
