Gronkowski Apparently Dodges Major Injury After Hit By Broncos' Stewart

DENVER (CBS4/The Sports Xchange) - If the Broncos wind up meeting the New England Patriots in the playoffs, there's a good chance they'll have to face tight end Rob Gronkowski again.

It turns out Gronkowski could miss only one game with a right knee injury suffered in the fourth quarter of Sunday's Broncos win 30-24 overtime win against the Patriots.

ESPN footage showed Gronkowski walking from the X-ray room to the Patriots' locker room with a slight limp but based on reports Monday, the injury is not serious and he could return to the field as early as Sunday night at Houston.

A source told ESPN's Adam Schefter about Gronkowski: "We think he is going to be OK."

Gronkowski was in the locker room walking around as reporters entered but did not answer questions after the Broncos handed the Patriots their first loss of the season.

Gronkowski cut through bad weather and the Broncos' defense to make six catches for 88 yards and a touchdown before being knocked out of the game.

Gronkowski suffered the injury with 2:49 remaining in the fourth quarter, when Broncos defensive back Darian Stewart hit him low on an incomplete pass. Gronkowski's leg whipped back as it made contact with Stewart.

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady said those hits are the extension of the league's emphasis on avoiding hits to the head. Brady said he doesn't think a player like Stewart has any choice but to go low when trying to make a tackle.

"I hate to see it, but it's really the only way for defenders to hit now," Brady said after the game. "I bet if you asked a lot of players they'd probably rather you go high than low. You go low, that's what happens. I don't think it's dirty, I just think that's the way football is being played now."

Gronkowski's presence in the locker room immediately after the game was viewed as an encouraging sign.

"Hopefully it's not too serious. Our fingers are crossed," Brady said.

Gronkowski broke his forearm Nov. 18, 2012 and tore his ACL on Dec. 8, 2013.

"He has been through a lot. He is a tough guy," Brady said.