MINNEAPOLIS — Rob Gronkowski is hopeful he will play against the Eagles in Super Bowl LII.

Speaking to the media for the first time since entering concussion protocol, the Patriots tight end expressed optimism Tuesday night regarding his status for Sunday’s big game.

“Do you think you’ll play?” a reporter asked Gronkowski following a Madden NFL 18 game with former teammate LeGarrette Blount. “Do you think you’ll play?”

“Yes,” Gronk answered with a smile. “Yes.”

Rob Gronkowski speaking for first time this week says tonight he expects to be cleared tomorrow and expects to play Sunday#FlyEaglesFly#SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/kna3n5K97I — John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) January 31, 2018

Gronkowski also told a different reporter he will be playing Sunday.

Reporter behind Gronk: “Are you playing, man? Are you playing?”

Gronk gives him a “Yeah.” pic.twitter.com/wiGhJld6KD — Nicole Yang (@nicolecyang) January 31, 2018

The 28-year-old entered concussion protocol following a helmet-to-helmet hit in the AFC Championship. He returned to the field Saturday after missing nearly a week of practice. The Patriots have not issued an official update regarding his status for the Super Bowl.


Blount said he and Gronkowski did not talk about the upcoming game before their Xbox live session, but the Eagles running back is hoping Gronk will ready to go at U.S. Bank Stadium come Sunday.

“I want him to play,” he told reporters. “You don’t ever want anybody to sit out. I’m hoping he plays, and I’m pretty confident that he will.”

Despite claiming he’s in “enemy mode” with his former teammates, Blount said Gronk is one of the players who makes it difficult to keep things serious.

“His personality is kind of contagious.”