Rob Gronkowski took a hit to the helmet with less than two minutes to go in the first half of Sunday’s AFC Championship game.

He appeared unsteady as he stood up slowly and was taken immediately inside.

The concussion protocol was followed, as the enhanced rules state that if a player exhibits “vertical instability” a locker room evaluation is required.

If the wobble was due to the head, even if he had no symptoms or passed every concussion test in the locker room, Gronk would still not be able to return – and he didn’t.


Officially, he is in the concussion protocol, which means he is not available to the media until cleared.

He has two weeks in which to get cleared for the Patriots’ next game, Super Bowl LII.

Every head injury is different, and there is no way to definitely predict his likelihood of playing. But the chances are very good that Gronkowski will be cleared. If he has no symptoms Monday morning, barring an unusual setback, he almost certainly will be cleared well before game time.

We found one previous reported concussions for Gronkowski, in 2013.


With more than four years since his last concussion, expect this one to be treated as a separate incident.

Recently, just over 50% of first-time concussions clear in seven days. Close to 90% clear by 14 days. This bodes well for Gronk.

The normal protocol is to gradually progress through activities and practice prior to being cleared.

I certainly hope he is cleared.


Not only do we want to see both teams healthy, I hope Gronk is cleared early enough to participate in Super Bowl week. He is quite entertaining. He might even read erotica aloud again.

Baring a surprise, Gronk will be ready to go.

I just hope it is early enough to be able to speak to the media.