Gronk Misses Second Practice Of Week, Expected To Play Saturday

As the New England Patriots went through their walk through practice today, in anticipation for their divisional round match up against the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday, there was one rather noticeable absence.

Starting tight end Rob Gronkowski was a non-participant for the second time this week, when the team took the field.

The All-Pro, who also sat out of practice on Tuesday, did practice Wednesday and was listed as a limited participant due to a knee injury on the team's official injury report, provided later in the day yesterday.

While Gronkowski has missed multiple practices and may have something wrong with his knee, he is expected to play in Saturday's divisional round game, according to a NESN report. 

The report also mentions that the 26-year-old tweaked a previous knee injury in the team's Week 17 loss to the Miami Dolphins.

Gronkowski did miss one game this season, after suffering what originally looked to be a serious knee injury in the team's overtime loss to Denver. After further tests, the injury was considered to be minor and no more than a deep bone bruise.

Issues with his knee should be of pretty big concern, since Gronkowski has dealt with knee problems in the past and is so important to the Patriot offense.

While injury problems to key players are never what teams want, especially around the playoffs, it appears as though Gronk will be able to play on Saturday.

All eyes will be on number 87, during the game though, to see if he is healthy and well enough to contribute to the offense.