Rob Gronkowski, the Pro Bowl tight end of the New England Patriots, was confirmed to have suffered a torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL), as well as a torn Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL), according to a report from USA Today. The injury was sustained after Gronkowski took a hit from Cleveland Browns' safety TJ Ward.
As a result, Gronk, as he is popularly known, would miss the remainder of the 2013 season. According to The Bleacher Report, a concussion during the said hit led to the serious injuries he sustained.
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk wrote:
Per a league source, Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski suffered a concussion along with his knee injury as a result of the hit he absorbed from Browns defensive back TJ Ward. Gronkowski's head banged against the turf at Gillette Stadium after Ward's shot tot he knee toppled Gronkowski to the ground. The concussion we are told, is slight. But it's still a concussion.
The Gronkowski-Ward hit was widely criticized. However, according to the Browns safety, it was just part of the game.
"It was a decision I made just to make a tackle on a big man and unfortunately he got hurt, but if I would've hit up high, there's a chance I would get fined and all that other stuff. I'm just being safe," Ward told CBS Sports,
The NFL had recently instituted new stricter rules to avoid concussions and head injuries, which would force defensive players to hit low in order to tackle the opposition. Thus, many are expecting there would be an increase in knee injuries because of the institution of the new rules.
The loss of Gronkowski overshadowed the Patriots come from behind win over the Browns; even after Pats quarterback Tom Brady converted on two touchdown passes in the last 61 seconds of the game to pull out the win.