Super Bowl 2012: How Does Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski's Injury Affect the Game?

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski suffered what is now known to be a high ankle sprain in their AFC Championship Game victory over the Baltimore Ravens.

Though Gronkowski has two weeks to recover from the injury, there's a very good chance that the game-changing tight end will be limited in his team's Super Bowl matchup against the New York Giants.

Initially, Gronkowski was thought to have a regular ankle sprain, which includes ligament damage but is less painful and less lingering than a high ankle sprain. The extent of Gronkowski's injury was made clear when his father, Gordon, revealed it in an interview with a local Buffalo, N.Y. television station.

Reports have surfaced that state Gronkowski's injury is severe enough to require offseason surgery, but he still plans to play on February 5th. Considering how bad the shape his ankle is in, it's likely that Gronkowski won't be playing at the level we've seen him at throughout the regular season and the playoffs.

In 2011, Gronkowski set the single-season records for yardage and scoring for a tight end, with 90 receptions for 1,327 yards and 18 total touchdowns. In two postseason games, he had 15 receptions for 232 yards and three scores, with each of those touchdowns coming in the team's divisional round win over the Denver Broncos.

Gronkowski's impact on the Super Bowl depends on his ability to play through the injury without re-aggravating it. Regardless, with his mobility limited, he will probably see fewer snaps and will be more effectively covered by the Giants defense.

Clearly, the injury is very much a benefit to the Giants. Gronkowski has been a nightmare matchup for opposing defenses all season long. With this injury, he's likely to be less of a threat on the field, allowing the Giants to key in on fellow tight end Aaron Hernandez and slot receiver Wes Welker with greater effectiveness.

Should Gronkowski have to make an early exit from the game, things become significantly more difficult for the Patriots offense. While Welker has been Brady's most reliable target yet again this season, much of that has to do with Gronkowski's presence on the field.

With their options limited, the Patriots and quarterback Tom Brady could find themselves slowed down, playing right into the hands of the Giants defenders.

There's little chance that Gronkowski will be completely healthy in time for the Super Bowl. However, it's how well that he manages the injury when on the field—and how long he can stay out there—that will ultimately determine how successful the Patriots offense is.

While it's a stretch to say that the Patriots' overall chances to beat the Giants hinges on Gronkowski's contributions, his absence from the field will surely require the Patriots to make significant adjustments.

The truly great teams can find ways to win even without one of their stars at full health. If the Patriots are one of those teams, then Gronkowski's limitations will be a bump in the road, but not one that throws off the entire operation.