INDIANAPOLIS — The boot is off, and Rob Gronkowski’s ankle is feeling much better.
New England’s all-pro tight end shed his walking boot in time for media day Tuesday, and sounded optimistic he’d be lining up against the Giants in the Super Bowl on Sunday.
“I’m improving every day,” Gronkowski said. “The only reason it’s getting so blown up is because it’s the Super Bowl. It’s just like any other injury during any other week.”
Gronkowski, who suffered a high left ankle sprain in the AFC title game Jan. 22, said he could be anywhere from in perfect health to “2 percent” for the game, adding that it’s still six days away.
“He’s obviously making progress,” quarterback Tom Brady said of his key pass-catcher. “He’s out of his boot today, which makes me feel a lot better. I told him he should write, like, ‘Mom, I love you’ on his sock or something because I’m sure there’ll be a lot of pictures of his sock.”
While Gronkowski was feeling better, three Patriots were dealing with illnesses Tuesday.
Left tackle Matt Light and right tackle Sebastian Vollmer skipped media day festivities with illnesses, coach Bill Belichick said. Linebacker Jerod Mayo attended but said he has a cold.
Vollmer has been sidelined the last seven games because of foot and back injuries, but Belichick has said there’s a chance he’ll play Sunday.
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