REPORT: Hightower Suffers Sprained MCL, Return Unknown But Not Serious

[UFGatorPat]

Don't we need to know the severity to know what the news is here? A torn MCL isn't automatically good news...

Yes, but considering the verbiage used, doesn't sound like a tear

 

[aluminum seats]

On the other hand, Bruschi used to get some awful contortions that looked career ending but came back the next play like he was Gumby.

Man, I remember one play specifically that was exactly like that--it was brutal to look at, but he was fine. Go figure.

That was the thing about Gronk's injury last night--it didn't look that bad. His agony was the scariest thing about it.

 

[Fixit]

Rest everyone as much as possible. Just get a bye. Get healthy for the playoffs.

Because this team, if healthy, beats anyone, anywhere.

 

[aluminum seats]

Yes, but considering the verbiage used, doesn't sound like a tear

Well, the tweet is "MCL sprain" which it's said here is the same thing as a tear.

Ah, screw it. If you guys take this as good news, I'll join you.

 

[Rob0729]

Yes, but considering the verbiage used, doesn't sound like a tear

All sprains are tears. The degree tells you how much.

 

[turkeyneck]

That was the thing about Gronk's injury last night--it didn't look that bad. His agony was the scariest thing about it.

No doubt it hurt but I think Gronk's response was as much emotional as medical. I think he was reacting in shock to the belief that his season was over.

 

[Rob0729]

Rest everyone as much as possible. Just get a bye. Get healthy for the playoffs.

Because this team, if healthy, beats anyone, anywhere.

The problem is after last night, they cannot afford to rest many players and still get a bye. They only have an one game lead on Denver and Cincy and Denver has the tiebreaker. Also, Cincy is likely to have the tiebreaker too because one of their losses is out of conference and it is very unlikely the Pats lose to the Eagles.

 

[PatsBoy12]

That was the thing about Gronk's injury last night--it didn't look that bad. His agony was the scariest thing about it.

That's very true. I didn't remember thinking once that it looked brutal at all in the replays. It was the way he was moving around on the ground . . . it looked very Cleveland-ish to me. I saw him flexing it on the way to the cart and then all the reports since have been that he seems mostly unhindered by it.

 

[Fixit]

The problem is after last night, they cannot afford to rest many players and still get a bye. They only have an one game lead on Denver and Cincy and Denver has the tiebreaker. Also, Cincy is likely to have the tiebreaker too because one of their losses is out of conference and it is very unlikely the Pats lose to the Eagles.

I agree. They can't rest everyone all the time. I just don't want anyone rushed back. Dola and Collins should be completely recovered soon. Jules for the playoffs, hopefully. Gronk and HT whenever they're ready.

And Denver's going to lose at least another game. Same for Cinci.

Honestly, even if NE has to play on WC weekend, who won't they beat if healthy?

 

[A Defiant Goose]

I'm not even concerned about HFA in the playoffs anymore. I'm confident the Patriots can go into anyone's stadium and beat them in January. Sit 'em all. All of em! Edelman, Dola, Gronk, Hightower, just sit em all. Bring them back for the playoffs, because I have 100% confidence in this team once the key players come back for a playoff push.

 

[RobertWeathers]

On the other hand, Bruschi used to get some awful contortions that looked career ending but came back the next play like he was Gumby.

Yep. I remember the injury. His knee basically did what Gronk's did last night.

 

[signbabybrady]

The problem is after last night, they cannot afford to rest many players and still get a bye. They only have an one game lead on Denver and Cincy and Denver has the tiebreaker. Also, Cincy is likely to have the tiebreaker too because one of their losses is out of conference and it is very unlikely the Pats lose to the Eagles.

Denver and Cincy play each other so that helps.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

Denver and Cincy play each other so that helps.

worst case is if denver wins out and NE loses one then NE gets the 2 seed.

 

[Ivan]

Good chance Collins and Amendola will return this week and their OL is going to get to actually play two weeks in a row together. Mayo is playing more and better every week and should be able to shore up LB with Hightower out. Overall I think they will get the top seed even if they drop one more and see 4-1 the rest of the way as a likelihood.

 

[Ivan]

worst case is if denver wins out and NE loses one then NE gets the 2 seed.

I would be fine with going to Denver in the playoffs, especially in the AFCCG. Brady would be playing his tenth AFCCG and Osweiler his tenth game.

 

[jpat]

Denver and Cincy play each other so that helps.

And they both play Pittsburgh, who is the only team left on either of their schedules I can see beating either team.

Best case scenario, Cincy beats denver, pittsburgh beats cincy. they are all 13-3 and pats are 14-2

 

[ashley]

Denver and Cincy play each other so that helps.

They also both play Pitt as well. Denver is at Pitt and Cincy is home to Pitt. We are all going to become huge Steeler fans, at least when they play

 

[Charlotte Pats Fan]

so is MCl sprain different than an MCL tear?

3 Different grades of MCL sprains . Grade 1 is mild, Grade 2 is a moderate to partial tear. Grade 3 is a complete tear. I'm guessing its not a grade 3

 

[PatsFan2]

Hightower is the Toughest dude on our Team!

 

[dales804]

We are all going to become huge Steeler fans, at least when they play