Rob Gronkowski will not return after a hard hit from Barry Church left him wobbly, a devastating blow to the tight end and to the Patriots’ chance.
Gronkowski was running downfield on a passing route, looking back for the ball, when Church put a shoulder into him late in the second quarter of the AFC Championship. The 6-foot-6, 265-pound All-Pro tight end seemed shaken, and he left the field. He did not return for the remainder of the drive, which was New England’s last in the first half.
Church was called for an unnecessary roughness penalty that gave the Patriots the ball at their own 40. A pass interference penalty on the next play put New England on the 13. Two plays later, James White ran it in to make it 14-10.
Jacksonville was also called for a delay of game that negated a first-down completion on its previous possession. In all, the Jaguars had five penalties for 62 yards in the first half; the Patriots had one for 10 yards.
Rob Gronkowski extends for a pass up the seam and is hit helmet-to-helmet by Barry Church, sending him to concussion protocol. (0:25)
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Tight end Rob Gronkowski was knocked out of the New England Patriots' 24-20 AFC Championship Game victory with a concussion after he took a big hit from Jacksonville Jaguars safety Barry Church late in the second quarter.
Gronkowski was wobbly as he got to his feet but walked to the locker room under his own power. He remained there being evaluated to start the second half and was officially ruled out at the start of the fourth quarter.
Church was penalized for unnecessary roughness as his helmet made contact with Gronkowski's, although Church initially appeared to be leading with his shoulder.
"If you go low, you're a dirty player. If you go high, it's unsportsmanlike conduct. It's tough," Church said following the game.
Gronkowski was charted on the field for the Patriots' first 26 offensive snaps of the game, which reflects his importance to the team. No. 2 tight end Dwayne Allen stepped into his role at the end of the second quarter and into the second half.
The Patriots lost one of their brightest stars at the worst possible time, but survived. The same can't be guaranteed two weeks from now.
All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski did not return to Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Jaguars after suffering a head injury. New England forged onward without him, riding two Danny Amendola touchdown catches to a 24-20 comeback victory and yet another AFC crown.
Gronkowski departed for the locker room after suffering a head-to-head collision just before the half. Jaguars safety Barry Church was flagged for unnecessary roughness on the play after slamming into Gronkowski to break up a throw from Tom Brady.
Gronkowski's absence was a major loss for a Patriots team angling to pile up yardage over the middle of the field. The massive-bodied playmaker departed with only one catch for 21 yards off three targets, attracting plenty of attention from a variety of Jacksonville defenders before suffering the injury.
The Patriots still boast a flock of weapons in the backfield and through the air, but this setback vastly changed how they could attack Jacksonville's stout defense. New England adjusted, opening up the offense with more defense-softening screens and a variety of medium-to-deep targets to Amendola and Brandin Cooks, though it required a fourth-quarter surge to complete the victory.
New England isn't without talented playmakers, but Gronkowski's status is absolutely worth monitoring moving forward. The tight end adds another dimension that causes every opponent issues. His health and availability will undoubtedly be one of the most prominent stories of the two-week build-up to the sport's biggest game.
The Patriots lost one of their brightest stars at the worst possible time, but survived. The same can't be guaranteed two weeks from now.
All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski did not return to Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Jaguars after suffering a head injury. New England forged onward without him, riding two Danny Amendola touchdown catches to a 24-20 comeback victory and yet another AFC crown.
Gronkowski departed for the locker room after suffering a head-to-head collision just before the half. Jaguars safety Barry Church was flagged for unnecessary roughness on the play after slamming into Gronkowski to break up a throw from Tom Brady.
Gronkowski's absence was a major loss for a Patriots team angling to pile up yardage over the middle of the field. The massive-bodied playmaker departed with only one catch for 21 yards off three targets, attracting plenty of attention from a variety of Jacksonville defenders before suffering the injury.
The Patriots still boast a flock of weapons in the backfield and through the air, but this setback vastly changed how they could attack Jacksonville's stout defense. New England adjusted, opening up the offense with more defense-softening screens and a variety of medium-to-deep targets to Amendola and Brandin Cooks, though it required a fourth-quarter surge to complete the victory.
New England isn't without talented playmakers, but Gronkowski's status is absolutely worth monitoring moving forward. The tight end adds another dimension that causes every opponent issues. His health and availability will undoubtedly be one of the most prominent stories of the two-week build-up to the sport's biggest game.
