Despite spending time in a Boston hospital this week, New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is officially active for Saturday's Divisional Round tilt with the Kansas City Chiefs.
According to NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport, Gronkowski has not fully recovered from his knee and back issues but will play through the pain. The tight end, who had not appeared on an injury report since Week 14, first popped up with back and knee issues Wednesday after the team held him out of practice the previous day. Gronkowski also missed Thursday's session in order to undergo treatment on his injured right knee at a Boston hospital.
Gronkowski has already dealt with knee trouble this season. In a pivotal Week 12 showdown with the Denver Broncos, the tight end left with 2:49 left in regulation after absorbing a hit from safety Darian Stewart. He returned two weeks later.
The sixth-year star from Arizona has 72 receptions for 1,176 yards and has scored 11 touchdowns this season.
Gronkowski headlines a lengthy list of notable names on New England's injury report, which also includes QB Tom Brady (ankle), WR Julian Edelman (foot), LB Dont'a Hightower (knee), DE Chandler Jones (abdomen, toe), DE Rob Ninkovich (shin) and LT Sebastian Vollmer (ankle).
