Rob Gronkowski Injury: Patriots TE Undergoes Successful Ankle Surgery

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, who underwent surgery earlier in February to repair torn ankle ligaments suffered during the Super Bowl, might not be healed in time to participate when Patriots offseason workouts begin in mid-April.

The Pro-Bowler appeared at an AHL hockey game on Friday night, where he told the Worcester Telegram & Gazette that he's unsure whether his ankle will be mended by April.

"I can’t wait to get back,’’ he said. "I mean, I can’t do anything on my feet right now, but I’m working on my upper body and doing my core workouts because you’re just so motivated. Losing that last game, you want to keep on grinding so when it does happen again you can get the win.’’

Gronkowski drew some criticism after being filmed dancing at a nightclub hours after the Super Bowl loss, but said he was just blowing off steam with his close friends and family.

"It was a great season overall,’’ Gronkowski said. "The whole team gave everything they had - every ounce of sweat, every ounce of blood. I gave everything I had from the [AFC Championship game against Baltimore] to the New York Giants game. You just give every single ounce of sweat.

"I mean, it just happened I was with my family and my friends, people I hadn’t seen for over a year, and we were just having a fun time together. Obviously, the emotion . . . you don’t want to lose that game. You don’t play that long and get to the Super Bowl and want to lose. Obviously, that was an emotional game.’’

For more Patriots coverage, visit our team page or our blog Pats Pulpit.

The injured ankle that hindered New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski during the Super Bowl was worse than the team let on.

Gronkowski played in the Super Bowl despite suffering multiple torn ligaments in his ankle during the AFC Championship Game, according to a team source that spoke to the Boston Globe. The Pro Bowler underwent successful arthroscopic surgery to repair the damage on Friday, and is expected to take ten weeks to recover.

Gronkowski managed just two catches for 26 yards in New England's 21-17 Super Bowl loss to the New York Giants, and faced criticism after being filmed dancing at a nightclub in the wee hours of the night following the defeat. But it is likely easier to forgive Gronkowski -- who's frat-boy behavior, monstrous receptions and catch-phrases like "Yo Soy Fiesta" have made him a cult figure -- now, knowing that he gritted through torn ligaments in an attempt to help his team.

For more Patriots coverage, visit our team page or our blog Pats Pulpit.