Late in the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos, Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski was carted off the field after injuring his right knee.
Gronkowski went down after he collided with Denver's Darian Stewart in mid-air, though early reports indicate the injury may not be serious.
From ESPN's Dianna Marie Russini:
Sources tell me pending MRI, Rob Gronkowski's injury is not as bad as it looked. #Patriots
— Dianna Marie Russini (@diannaESPN) November 30, 2015And Adam Schefter:
More testing likely and further updates ahead, but one source just texted this on Gronk's leg injury: "Doesn't appear to be serious."
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 30, 2015Gronkowski was seen walking gingerly after leaving the X-ray room:
Gronk just left the x Ray room pic.twitter.com/nGcMOD4keS
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) November 30, 2015"He's the best tight end in football," quarterback Tom Brady said after the game. "It's so hard to see these guys get hurt like this and I always have a lot of respect for players who play this game because you risk a lot to play. I think a lot of times that gets overlooked. You sacrifice a lot. Guys sacrifice their bodies. It's hard to see your friends get taken down like that. It's part of the sport and we understand that."
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Here is a look at the play on which he was injured:
Gronk's injury. pic.twitter.com/Vezp3K2Vam
— Rachel G. Bowers (@RachelGBowers) November 30, 2015He had six catches for 88 yards and a touchdown before leaving the game.
Gronkowski tore the ACL and MCL in his right knee in early December 2013, forcing him to miss the rest of the season. He also missed part of the 2012 season after breaking his left forearm in Week 11, which kept him sidelined for the remainder of that year.
"He's been through a lot. He's a tough guy," Brady said. "Hopefully it's not too serious. We'll see. All our fingers are crossed."