FOXBORO -- He did not say it in as many words, but appearing before his locker Monday, Rob Gronkowski’s message was clear: Calm down, everyone.
For now, that will have to do for the Patriots fans who feared the worst during Sunday’s 36-20 win over the New Orleans Saints. After he was tackled on a 21-yard catch-and-run in the third quarter, the tight end stayed on the ground for a bit then gingerly came off the field. After a stay in an erected medical tent, Gronkowski spent the rest of the game riding a stationary bike.
The team announced a groin injury and the 6-foot-6, 265-pounder repeated that diagnosis for reporters in a sparse open locker room session.