Boston Super Blog

Another season, another devastating injury for New England Patriots tight end, Rob Gronkowski. In a controversial comeback win over the Cleveland Browns, the Patriots lost their star tight end in the third quarter after a hit by Browns’ safety T.J. Ward. It was a legal hit, as defensive players have been warned about going high. Ward went low on Gronkowski, who tore his ACL and MCL in his right knee. He will miss the rest of this season for New England, and could miss some time to begin the 2014 season for the Patriots.

“It was a decision I made just to make a tackle on a big man and unfortunately he got hurt, but if I would’ve hit up high, there’s a chance I would get fined and all that other stuff. I’m just being safe,” Ward said.

While Patriots fans may be bitter following the big hit, Ward is right. The NFL is limiting how defenders can make tackles, as they have forced them to go low instead of aiming high and risking fine or suspension.

“My intention is never to hurt anyone,” said Ward. “That’s not what this game is about. That’s not how I play, I hate to see guys go down with any type of injury and I just wanted him to know, whether he accepted it or not, it wasn’t an intentional hit to injure him. But we have to play this game, we have to play it the way that they force us to, and unfortunately, we incurred an injury for him.”

This is hardly anything new to Gronkowski or the Patriots, who are more than getting used to seeing their high-priced playmaker on the sidelines and in the trainer’s room. When healthy, Gronk is clearly one of the top two tight ends on the planet, along with Jimmy Graham of the New Orleans Saints. Unfortunately, Gronkowski has an incredibly difficult time staying on the field.

For those wondering just how much time Gronkowski may miss, Stephania Bell said that this injury is similar to the one suffered by Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson two years ago.

Peterson suffered the injury in Week 16 and was able to miraculously return to begin the following season on time. Then again, he is considered a freak-of-nature, and it also appears as if Gronkowski is more than fragile. He could certainly miss much more time.