FOXBORO — It wasn’t a surprise, but Bill Belichick’s press conference on Wednesday came and went without an update on the status of Rob Gronkowski.
The tight end left Sunday’s AFC Championship Game after a head-to-head hit. He entered this week in the NFL’s concussion protocol, which is a five-step process. When asked about Gronkowski’s status and whether he was still in the protocol, the [...]
FOXBORO — It wasn’t a surprise, but Bill Belichick’s press conference on Wednesday came and went without an update on the status of Rob Gronkowski.
The tight end left Sunday’s AFC Championship Game after a head-to-head hit. He entered this week in the NFL’s concussion protocol, which is a five-step process. When asked about Gronkowski’s status and whether he was still in the protocol, the Patriots coach gave his usual answer.
“We’ll be compliant with the NFL injury report. When that’s required, we’ll put it on,” Belichick said.
When asked where Gronkowski was in the concussion protocol, Belichick said, “Whatever his situation is, whatever his status is, we’ll put it on the injury report. We’ll make sure you’re the first one to get it.”
The Patriots don't practice until Thursday, but the Patriots were still required to put out an injury report on Wednesday. Had the team practiced, Gronkowski wouldn't have been a participant as the Patriots listed him as out with a concussion.
The team will issue two more injury reports before the weekend. Friday’s report will have a hypothetical game status listed next to each player.
When asked if he expects Gronkowski to play in Super Bowl LII, Belichick said, “We’ll put it right on the injury report and that’s what we’re going to do. Just like everybody else does.”
Gronk isn't the only player dealing with a concussion. Deatrich Wise was also listed as "did not participate" due to a concussion. This is the rookie's second concussion of the season. The first came in the preseason opener.
Listed as limited on Wednesday were Malcom Brown (foot), Mike Gillislee (knee) and La'Adrian Waddle (knee).
A good fit
When the Patriots season ended last year, Chris Long made it known that although he was appreciative of his time in New England, he would sign elsewhere come free agency. The defensive end cited the Patriots defensive scheme and his fit or lack thereof for wanting to move on. That’s what brought Long to Philadelphia.
As the Patriots prepare to take on the Eagles in Super Bowl LII, Belichick said on Wednesday that he agreed with the veteran. Although the Patriots coach would’ve welcomed Long back, he thinks the choice to sign with Philly was the right one.
“I think his defensive role is similar to what it was with the Rams,” Belichick said. “Chris has a lot of good skills, but his overall skill set and experience is probably more in, well is definitely more in the system he is in than it was in our system. He did a great job for us. Look, there was no better teammate or guy to try and embrace the program than Chris. In the end, he’s probably a better fit there for his skills for this point in his career than maybe we had for him. I understand that. He probably made a good decision. He probably did.”
Last year, Long played more defensive snaps for the Patriots (677) than he has this season for the Eagles (496), but has been more productive with his new team. The 10-year veteran finished this season with 28 tackles, five sacks and four forced fumbles. Last year, he had 35 tackles, four sacks and one forced fumble.
Long’s departure, however, did create a hole on the Patriots defensive line. The team also lost Jabaal Sheard (who signed with Indy) and Rob Ninkovich (retirement). With third-round pick Derek Rivers suffering a season-ending knee injury, the Pats have relied on Trey Flowers, Deatrich Wise, Eric Lee and James Harrison. So had Long re-signed, it’s likely he would’ve played even more this season with the Patriots.
“Not that it wouldn’t work out here,” Belichick said. “I’m not saying that. … It has certainly worked out well for him there just like it worked well for him here last year."
Waiting game
The Patriots have 13 days between the AFC Championship Game and the Super Bowl, a layoff more than twice as long as the vast majority of games they’ve played this season.
While it could be a long wait, it comes down to what one makes of it.
“You have to take how the two weeks come,” linebacker Kyle Van Noy said Wednesday as the players returned to work after getting Tuesday off. “You can either let it take you or you can take it to the two weeks. So I’m ready to take it to the two weeks.”
Study time
Quarterback Carson Wentz started the Eagles’ first 13 games before Nick Foles stepped in after Wentz suffered a season-ending knee injury in a win over the Los Angeles Rams on Dec. 10.
The Patriots will be studying film of all those games, paying particular attention to skill players like running back LeGarrette Blount, receiver Ashlon Jeffery and tight end Zach Ertz when Wentz was at QB and then honing in on Foles in the games he played.
“You take two parts of it,” safety Duron Harmon said. “The first is you still look at the skills because the skills are the skills and Philadelphia has unbelievable skill players at every position. They’re probably as deep as any team in the league.
“Then you look at the quarterback play. Carson Wentz isn’t Nick Foles and Nick Foles isn’t Carson Wentz. So you have to, as an offense, adjust your play calling and the type of offense you want to run based off your quarterback’s skill set.”
Although Foles has a career record of 31-21 (playoffs included), the Patriots don’t see the sixth-year pro as a journeyman, but rather the Pro Bowler who tossed 27 touchdowns against two interceptions for the Eagles in 2013.