Rob Gronkowski misses practice

New England Patriots star tight end Rob Gronkowski didn't practice Thursday due to a left ankle injury suffered against the Baltimore Ravens on a tackle by strong safety Bernard Pollard. Gronkowski caught 90 passes for 1,327 yards and 17 touchdowns to break the single-season record for a tight end

Gronkowski has been in a walking boot.

"I'm not going to try to forecast what it will be 10 days from now," coach Bill Belichick told reporters. "We'll just take it day by day."

If Gronkowski can't play, they've got Aaron Hernandez to fill in for him. Adding depth, New England signed tight end Carson Butler to the practice squad.

Chances are, Gronkowski plays in the Super Bowl even if he's not going to be 100 percent against the New York Giants.

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