Rob Gronkowski’s Concussion Risk A Concern For The Patriots Heading Into Super Bowl LII

The New England Patriots are preparing to take on the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII next Sunday.  The Patriots are looking to become the first team to win back-to-back Super Bowls since they did it in 2004 and 2005.  One player they must be cautious with is tight end Rob Gronkowski.

            Gronkowski. was knocked out of the AFC Championship game with a concussion after an incompletion with 1:23 left in the first half.  He didn’t return to the game.  On the play it looked like Barry Church, Jaguars’ safety went to lean in with his shoulder but Gronkowski was falling down to the ground which led Church to hit him in the head with his helmet on Gronkowski’s helmet.  Gronkowski needed help leaving the field and didn’t return.  According to bostonherald.com, Dr. Lee E. Goldstein, neurologist and associate professor at the Boston University School of Medicine said, “Here’s the deal: If you have had one of these injuries, you are at greatly increased risk for a second injury, and those are the ones to be very concerned about.”

            Dr. Lee E. Goldstein is right.  Gronkowski can’t afford to take another hit to the head during the Super Bowl.  If he does, it takes away a primary target for Brady.  Gronkowski had 1,084 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns in the regular season.  In the postseason Gronkowski has 102 yards and 1 touchdown, but his average yards per catch is an impressive 14.6 yards.

            Gronkowski is a matchup nightmare for the defense.  His size at 6 foot 6 inches makes it difficult to defend him.  Linebackers are too slow to cover him and his size makes it hard for a cornerback or a safety to cover him.  He creates many mismatches that Brady exploits.

            The Patriots must be careful with Gronkowski for the next 2 weeks.  It would be wise for them to not have him practice much once he passes the concussion protocol.  It will give him time to be healthy for the big game.  When the Super Bowl starts, it will be up to him to protect himself.  If he is hit and goes down again, that forces Brady and the offense to switch up their game plan.   They can still win without him.