FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Rob Gronkowski suffered a bone bruise and sprain of his right knee during the New England Patriots’ 30-24 overtime loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday night. ADVERTISING FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Rob Gronkowski suffered a bone bruise
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Rob Gronkowski suffered a bone bruise and sprain of his right knee during the New England Patriots’ 30-24 overtime loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday night.
The tight end will be evaluated on a weekly basis and there is no timetable for his return.
“During Sunday night’s game, Rob Gronkowski sustained a bone bruise/sprain of his right knee,” the Patriots and the Gronkowski family said in a joint statement.
“His status will be evaluated on a week-to-week basis and listed accordingly on the practice participation and injury reports.”
Gronkowski was carted off the field with 2:49 remaining in Sunday’s game after taking a hit to the knee. The Patriots (10-1) led 21-17 at the time, but went on to lose their first game of the season.
Prior to his injury, Gronkowski had six catches for 88 yards, including a 23-yard touchdown pass from Tom Brady with 11:24 left in the first quarter.
Gronkowski has 57 catches for 931 yards and nine touchdowns in 11 games this season.
On Tuesday morning, Gronkowski voiced his frustration on Twitter with the NFL’s officiating, saying he agreed with a local sports radio station’s suggestion that the league was targeting him on offensive pass interference calls.
Gronkowski was flagged for the infraction twice Sunday and has a league-leading six offensive pass interference penalties this season.
Cardinals place Johnson on IR/designated to return list
PHOENIX — Arizona has placed Chris Johnson on the injured reserve/designated to return list, a move that means the only way the running back will play again this season is if the Cardinals reach the Super Bowl.
A person with knowledge of the situation said Tuesday that Johnson chipped or fractured his tibia where it meets his left knee. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team has not revealed details of the injury.
By being on the list, Johnson can’t resume practice for six weeks and can’t play in a game for eight weeks.
The 30-year-old running back was in the midst of a big comeback season. He is fourth in the NFL in rushing with 812 yards.
Referee changes coming for Sunday night
NEW YORK — The NFL has moved referee Pete Morelli’s crew off the upcoming Sunday night game between Indianapolis and Pittsburgh.
Instead, the crew will work an afternoon game between the Eagles and Patriots.
Morelli’s group was heavily criticized by both sides after the 49ers-Cardinals game Sunday. Arizona coach Bruce Arians said the officials “can’t count to three.”
There were a combined 20 penalties in the game. During Arizona’s first series of the second half, San Francisco committed five penalties, including four pass interferences and an illegal hands to the face, as the Cardinals reached the end zone on their way to a 19-13 win.
The 49ers were flagged 13 times for 81 yards, including a costly roughing-the-passer flag during the winning drive.
