Rob Gronkowski, WH Grad, Still Questionable for Super Bowl

INDIANAPOLIS – Aside from the Manning brother story line and what's in store Peyton Manning's future, Rob Gronkowski’s high ankle sprain has been the most reported story leading into Sunday’s Super Bowl XLVI showdown between the Patriots and Giants.

Since Gronkowski, who starred at , set NFL tight end scoring and receiving records this year and has become Tom Brady’s safest passing threat, his ankle is a big deal to many.

As of Friday, he was listed as questionable and made an appearance at the team’s walk through in sweats. He was seen walking without a limp, but has been on a very restricted practice regimen to aid in his recovery. He and the team trainers are taking it day-by-day.

“I am improving every day,” he said earlier this week, referring to the ankle he sprained against the Ravens in the AFC Championship game. “When you are hurt, you want to improve every day. You are just trying to get stronger every day. Listen to the training staff and what they have to say. Trying to heal up, getting stronger and making sure I am more fluid out there and can be on it and everything. Basically, going in the right direction.”

He’s not amazed with how much attention his ankle is getting. Considering it’s the Super Bowl and he pulled in 1,327 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2011, he’s an asset the Patriots would like to rely upon.

“It’s the biggest game in sports history every year,” he said. “It is what it is. You have just got to put your blinders on and you have got to be focusing every single day on the playbook and the Giants. So, when it comes to game time, you are not distracted and you are just ready for the game.”

He has been lucky enough to relax with his brothers Chris and Dan, both NFL players, throughout the week to take his mind off the otherwise hectic medical and media treatments. Chris, who played for the Colts this year, lives 20 minutes from Lucas Oil Stadium, so they’ve all gathered to talk family and football.

“Because we really don’t get to see each other during the season, so it’s just a blast to be out here and an honor to have my brother out here with a house that we can chill at,” Gronkowski said.

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said he took the word of Arizona coach Mike Stoops about Gronkowski before selecting him in the second round in the 2010 NFL Draft.

“He’s big, strong and tough, and he’s ready to take on anybody, like blocking a defensive tackle, run a go route or play on kickoff return,” Belichick said. “Whatever it is, he accepts the challenge and puts his best effort out there. Usually, that’s pretty good.”

He's making his best effort with his ankle treatments, which Belichick said is on-going in the mornings, afternoons and evenings.

His quarterback Tom Brady, while preparing for both possibilities of a present or absent Gronkowski come game day on Sunday, said his tight end has been keeping up mentally throughout the last two weeks.

“He’s preparing himself as if he’s going to play even though he hasn’t been able to practice,” Brady said. “We’ll see how it goes. No one can really predict the future. Hopefully he continues to feel better. Hopefully he can go out there and play.”

Follow @ChrisVaccaro on Twitter for constant updates from Super Bowl XLVI.