New England Patriots: Five Worst Season Ending Injuries
By DJ Smith
1. Rob Gronkowski, 2013
Oct 29, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) runs the ball for a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins in the first quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Number one on our list is Rob Gronkowski’s troubling 2013 year where he suffered injury after injury that kept him off the field for the Patriots. Early in the year Gronk went for his 3rd and 4th forearm surgery after an infection was found and took several procedures to finally get him back to 100%. In June, Gronk then had back surgery (an ongoing issue he’s had since college) and he was slated to return to the football field around October.
When he finally did make his season debut he was only on the field for a handful of games, a hit to the knee by T.J. Ward resulted in a torn ACL and MCL for Gronk ending his season.
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It’s hard to argue that Gronk the Patriots don’t at least give the Broncos a run for their money in the AFC Championship Game. His mere prescense (as we’ve seen since then) can prove to be a huge difference maker.
Hopefully for Patriots fans Gronk and Brady can remain healthy for the remainder of their careers, as we have seen what they are capable when both are playing on Sundays.