The father of New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski said his son has a high ankle sprain, an injury that typically takes some time to heal completely.
With 10 days until the Super Bowl against the New York Giants, the Patriots held Gronkowski out of practice Thursday and Friday. He was also listed, along with 12 other Patriots, as questionable for the Super Bowl.
Gronkowski's father, Gordy Gronkowski, told WIVB-TV in western New York that his son had the high ankle sprain but also said that his son would be ready to go for the game.
Gronkowski injured the ankle in the third quarter of Sunday's AFC Championship Game win over the Baltimore Ravens. He limped off the field but returned to the game about five minutes later. He said after the game that his ankle was "good."
The tight end has been spotted in a walking boot in recent days.
"I'm not going to try to forecast what it will be 10 days from now," coach Bill Belichick said Thursday. "We'll just take it day by day."
Thursday was the first practice for the Patriots as they prepare for the Super Bowl, and Gronkowski is a big part of their offense. He had 90 catches for 1,327 yards, and his 17 touchdown receptions is an NFL single-season record for a tight end.
When asked Thursday whether he thought his favorite target would be able to play in the Super Bowl, quarterback Tom Brady wasn't making any predictions.
"I have no idea. I'm not sure. I think everyone deals with bumps and bruises this time of year," Brady said. "It's the Super Bowl and we're all trying to get out there and be healthy. It's tough to miss this game. You put all the work in over the course of the entire year to have the opportunity to play in this game, everyone is going to do everything they can to be out there."
Friday was the first practice in full pads. Thursday's was held in light shoulder pads and sweatpants.
Patriots listed as having limited participation in practice and being questionable were: Deion Branch (knee), Marcus Cannon (ankle), Patrick Chung (knee), Dane Fletcher (thumb), James Ihedigbo (shoulder), Kyle Love (ankle), Logan Mankins (knee), Rob Ninkovich (hip), Brandon Spikes (knee), Sebastian Vollmer (back/foot), Wes Welker (knee) and Tracy White (abdomen).
Information from ESPNBoston.com's Mike Rodak and Mike Reiss, and The Associated Press was used in this report.