Patriots boosted for biggest showdown

NEW England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski has been cleared from the concussion protocol and will play in the Super Bowl against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Gronkowski participated fully in practice on Thursday.

Defensive lineman Deatrich Wise also practised after being cleared from the concussion protocol.

Malcolm Butler (illness) and Brandon King (knee) also took part in the workout. Gronk said he was “ready to roll” and had no limitations.

He had been sidelined since taking a helmet-to-helmet hit from Jacksonville’s Barry Church in the first half of New England’s AFC championship game win. The All-Pro tight end missed last year’s Super Bowl win over Atlanta after undergoing back surgery.

Gronkowski said he believes that the team doctors were just using the bye week to be as cautious with the injury as possible.

“We knew the whole time I was gonna be good to go,” he said. “I was progressing really good throughout the week. We just knew I’d be ready and we’ve been practising like we always do.” Gronkowski led the team in receiving during the regular season with 69 catches for 1084 yards and eight touchdowns.

His return gives quarterback Tom Brady another key option against an Eagles defence that finished the regular season ranked fourth in the NFL.