Rob Gronkowski missed his second practice of the week.
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reports that Gronk missed Thursday's practice due to the knee injury. The tight end was listed as limited on Wednesday after missing practice on Tuesday.
While it's not a positive development, per Rapoport, Gronk should be good for the New England Patriots' Divisional Round tilt with the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday.
The tight end had not been on the injury report since Week 14, prior to this week. He missed one game after being knocked out of the Patriots' Week 12 contest against the Denver Broncos with knee and back injuries.
Gronk appeared hindered by the injury down the stretch of the regular season, but we don't expect him to be held back during Saturday's tussle with a stout Chiefs defense.
The Patriots are expected to have Julian Edelman back and a healthy Danny Amendola on the field, making Tom Brady's receiving corps the strongest it's been in months.
Here's a look at some other injuries we've been tracking Thursday:
- Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler (knee) is still not practicing. He was working on the side. He is set to backup Peyton Manning in the Divisional Round matchup against the Chiefs. Pass-rusher Von Miller (illness) was back at practice. DeMarcus Ware (knee) was limited.
- Panthers defensive end Kony Ealy (illness) and running back Fozzy Whittaker (ankle) didn't practice. Coach Ron Rivera does not anticipate Whittaker being ready to return this week.
- Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (shoulder) was limited in practice for the second straight day. Wideout Antonio Brown (concussion) did not practice for the second consecutive day. Running back DeAngelo Williams (foot) also did not participate in Thursday's practice; linebacker Ryan Shazier (knee) was a full participant.
- Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said Thursday that wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (ankle) and linebacker Justin Houston (knee) are both game-time decisions.
- Packers wide receiver Davante Adams (knee) did not participate in practice for the second straight day. David Bakhtiari (ankle), Mike Daniels (hamstring), Datone Jones (neck), Eddie Lacy (rib), T.J. Lang (calf), Mike Neal (hip), Quinten Rollins (quadricep) and Sam Shields (concussion) were all limited in Thursday's practice.
- Cardinals guard Mike Iupati (shoulder) was a full participant in Thursday practice. Defensive tackle Frostee Rucker (ankle) was limited.