Gronkowski on rib injury: ‘I never got shot before, but that’s kind of what it felt like’
TAMPA— The day after he suffered four cracked ribs, broke another and punctured his lung during a Week 3 loss to the L.A. Rams, Rob Gronkowski felt pain he had never experienced before.
“The next day was the worst,” the Tampa Bay Bucs tight end said. “I never got shot before, but that’s kind of like what it felt like.”
Gronkowski had just completed back-to-back practices Friday when he spoke with the media for the first time since he was savagely struck in the back by Rams linebacker Terrell Lewis in a 34-24 loss Sept. 26 in Los Angeles.
He missed 4 games, including his homecoming game with Tom Brady to New England the following week. He returned Oct. 31 against the New Orleans Saints but played only 6 snaps before back spasms ended his day.
“That was a situation where it was kind of like a game-time decision, and unfortunately it didn’t go the way we thought it was going to go,” Gronkowski said. “But we were ready for that. We were ready for both situations, and that’s it.
“That’s what happened. It didn’t go the way we planned, and we just had to take it back a step and make sure we take it one step at a time from there, and that’s what we’ve been doing now.”
Gronkowski has had a long history of back injuries and surgeries during his Hall of Fame-worthy career.
“I’ve definitely had a lot of back issues. It’s not like it’s hidden,” Gronkowski said. “I’ve had a few back surgeries, missed a couple times with it. I’d just say you’ve got to be careful with it, with the things I do, with the type of rehab I’m doing, and being aware of it when I come back.”
The Bucs have lost two in a row heading into their Monday Night Football game against the N.Y. Giants at Raymond James Stadium.
Gronkowski can’t wait to get back out on the field in a game situation.
“I want to get out there. I want to help out the guys,” he said. “Make some plays like I was at the beginning of the year. Get some first downs, get some touchdowns. Just help out the offense throughout the game, and that’s my goal. “We’re taking it one step at a time. I mean, I just got two good practices under my belt and that’s a big step right there. That’s a crucial step, getting some practices under my belt and making sure I feel good after them. It’s going well, and that arrow is pointing up towards playing. Hopefully it goes right and I’m out there playing Monday night.”
Gronkowski said he doesn’t worry about the next injury being the one that ends his career.
“I just add that to the resume,” he said. “I mean, when I’m done one day, I can go through them all, I can tell my kids. You know how kids are. One day you’re going to have them and they’re going to be crying about a bump and you can go, ‘Oh, I had this, this and this. Don’t worry about it.’
“But I’ll sit there and say ‘Cheers’ to all of them one day. The resume of breaking things and all that is pretty far up there. I’m going to definitely have to file this one, too, under workers’ comp. I think the NFL after I’m done is scared. Workers’ comp, I’m coming for you guys.”