Gronkowski listed as DNP with concussion

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski was listed on Wednesday’s injury report as not taking part in practice due to a concussion.

Because the Patriots actually didn’t practice on Wednesday, the injury report is only a projection as to whether he would have taken part if a practice had been held.

Gronkowski left the team’s AFC Championship victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first half Sunday after a helmet-to-helmet hit by safety Barry Church. He was placed in the NFL’s concussion protocol after leaving the game.

The Patriots will take on the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII on Feb. 4 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

Wednesday’s injury report is notable because it’s the first time the Patriots have acknowledged Gronkowski suffered a concussion. According to ESPN’s Stats & Information, the tight end has been listed on the injury report 50 times over his career, but none of those instances was listed as a concussion.

Those instances don’t include any stints on injured reserve, including his season-ending ACL tear in December 2013.

Gronkowski was only one of several players the Patriots listed on Wednesday’s injury report. Defensive lineman Deatrich Wise also was listed as a non-participant in practice because of a concussion, while defensive lineman Malcolm Brown (foot), running back Mike Gillislee (knee) and tackle LaAdrian Waddle would have been limited in practice.

For the Eagles, who also did not practice on Wednesday, running back Jay Ajayi, who has been bothered by an ankle injury, was listed as a full participant, while linebacker Dannell Ellerbe as listed as limited with a hamstring injury.

Both team returned to their practice fields Thursday for the first time since their conference championship victories, but injury reports for those practices are not yet available.