The Facts: Predictably, the Patriots have not disclosed the exact nature of the left ankle injury that kept Gronkowski sidelined during the team's first practice leading up to Super Bowl XLVI. Gronkowski was again absent from the team's practice Friday, marking the second straight day that he's had to sit out. The tight end was the only player missing at the start of Friday's practice while reporters were present.
Diehards Line:Despite the Patriots' silence regarding the injury, Gronkowski's father, Gordy, told WIVB-TV in Buffalo that his son is suffering from a high ankle sprain. The elder Gronkowski said he expects his son to be ready to play against the New York Giants. ... And so does the rest of the world. As for the official company line? HC Bill Belichick said Thursday that the team was taking a day-by-day approach to Gronkowski's recovery. "I'm not going to try to forecast where things will be 10 days from now, "Belichick said. ... In the meantime, we'll continue to follow up with pertinent tidbits through next Sunday.