Rob Gronkowski Returns To Practice

The Patriots’ preparations for their third Super Bowl in four years included Rob Gronkowski on Saturday, Jim McBride of the Boston Globe reports.

Gronkowski returned to practice for the first time since suffering a concussion in the AFC championship game. However, the Patriots’ injury report indicates their future Hall of Fame pass-catcher would not be active if the Super Bowl were to be played on Sunday.

Gronkowski remains in the Pats’ concussion protocol and must be cleared by the team’s head physician and an independent neurologist to play against the Eagles. Given the bye week and a return to practice eight days before Super Bowl LII, it remains a good bet Gronk will be active for what will be his third Super Bowl.

While the Patriots managed to navigate the Jaguars’ defense without Gronkowski in the second half, the eighth-year tight end has been their passing game’s defining weapon this decade and is coming off his fourth first-team All-Pro season — tied with John Hannah for most in team history. Gronkowski caught 69 passes for 1,084 yards and eight touchdowns despite missing two games.