National Football League

Gronkowski misses practice again

Published Jan. 27, 2012 12:00 a.m. ET

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Rob Gronkowski's status for the Super Bowl remained unknown after the dominant Patriots tight end missed a second consecutive day of practice because of left ankle trouble, the New York Post reported Friday.

New England coach Bill Belichick tersely responded "good, good" to reporters before Thursday's workout when asked how his young star was progressing, but his place against the Giants still was not assured.

The status of Gronkowski for Super Bowl XLVI next week in Indianapolis has been the hot topic since the 6-foot-6, 265-pound (120-kilogram) monster suffered what appeared to be a high ankle sprain in the third quarter of last Sunday's AFC title-game win over the Ravens.

Gronkowski, who set an NFL record for tight ends with 17 touchdown catches during the regular season, returned to the game about five minutes later but was spotted wearing a walking boot Monday and did not take part in either New England workout so far this week.

"We'll take it day-by-day," Belichick said of Gronkowski's health. "I'm not going to try to forecast where things will be 10 days from now."

Because of Gronkowski's injury and other roster moves, Aaron Hernandez was the only tight end on the practice field Thursday for the Patriots.

Asked if he thought his good friend Gronkowski would shake off the injury and play, Hernandez offered no guarantees.

"I'm sure he'll be fine, but that's for him to work out," Hernandez said.

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