INDIANAPOLIS - It’s not exactly M*A*S*H, but the daily injury/illness update seems to be a high priority for the Patriots as Super Bowl XLVI nears.
Yesterday appeared to bring mixed, but mostly good, news: While offensive linemen Matt Light and Sebastian Vollmer were able to practice after a short bout with a stomach bug, tight end Rob Gronkowski sat out with a high left ankle sprain. He said prior to practice that he might be outfitted with a specialized shoe for Sunday’s game.
Of the three, Vollmer has missed the most time, not having played since Nov. 27, sitting out seven games because of foot and back injuries. He’s also dealt with a stomach ailment this week, but is pushing hard to play against the Giants.
“I’ve practiced for a little while now,’’ said Vollmer, who could have been placed on injured reserve, which would have ended his season. “As long as you have a chance to play again, you do everything you can, you do all your rehab, your treatments, whatever it is to get back on the field as soon as possible. I’m very thankful that I wasn’t put on IR, and that I have a chance to compete. Hopefully, I get out there on Sunday.’’
Light was so sick on Tuesday that he missed Media Day. Or at least everyone thought he was sick.
“I was doing the zip line downtown,’’ Light joked. “It was the only slot they had available.’’
Gronkowski hasn’t practiced since injuring his ankle in the AFC Championship game. He had been wearing a protective boot, but since Tuesday has been without it.
“I feel better every day. That’s the goal,’’ Gronkowski said. “You want to be moving forward every single day.’’
Gronkowski was the only player not at practice. The Patriots listed 10 with limited participation: offensive linemen Marcus Cannon (ankle), Logan Mankins (knee), and Vollmer; linebackers Dane Fletcher (thumb), Rob Ninkovich (hip), Brandon Spikes (knee), and Tracy White (abdomen); safety Patrick Chung (knee); receiver Wes Welker (knee); and defensive lineman Kyle Love (ankle).
Music to their ears
Loud music was a big part of yesterday’s practice - by design. Since the game will be played indoors at Lucas Oil Stadium, crowd noise - and the difficulties that come with it - could play a factor. So why not prepare for it?
“We can make it loud enough so that [players] can’t hear,’’ coach Bill Belichick said. “As long as they can’t hear, you have to do silent communications.’’
According to the pool report, the Patriots worked on standard game preparation, but also spent time on kickoffs and kickoff coverage. Today’s practice, Belichick said, will be “a little shorter and really more review for everything like we did today - first, second, third down, and red [zone] area and all the situations.’’
