Super Bowl 2012: Using Other Players to Figure Out Rob Gronkowski's Ankle Injury

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski's ankle was the most talked about subject during the Super Bowl XLVI media day. 

The All-Pro pass-catcher suffered a somewhat gruesome high-ankle sprain in the Patriots' thrilling win over the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC title game less than two weeks ago. 

While none of us know precisely how Gronkowski feels, we can look back on other similar injuries to NFL players to get a better grasp on this entire situation. 

Maurkice Pouncey, C, Pittsburgh Steelers: Super Bowl XLV 

You only have to go back to last year's Super Bowl to find when an integral part of the AFC representative was hindered by a high-ankle sprain. 

Center Maurkice Pouncey—who was having a tremendous rookie season at the pivot for the Steelers—endured a high ankle sprain in the AFC championship game against the New York Jets. 

In the weeks leading up to the big game, Pouncey said he would "most definitely" be available to play. But as we all know, he was inactive for the showdown with the Green Bay Packers. 

Now, playing an offensive line position is much different than playing tight end, but both spots are extremely demanding on your ability to push and drive off your legs and feet. 

With almost the exact same timeline as Pouncey, it should scare some Patriots fans that he wasn't even on the field in Super Bowl XLV. 

Nick Mangold, C, New York Jets: September 18th, 2011 

The Jets star center suffered his high-ankle sprain in Week 2 in a rout against the Jacksonville Jaguars, and didn't play again until his team faced the New England Patriots in Week 5 on October, 9th. 

Like Pouncey, the injury isn't the same for tight ends, but you can't ignore the fact that he didn't play for three weeks. 

Many look at Mangold as one of the tougher offensive lineman in football.

Kevin Smith, RB, Detroit Lions: November 24th, 2011

Smith injured his ankle in the loss to the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving Day. With the extra time off, the Lions runner was able to return for the Sunday night battle with the New Orleans Saints, which was the next game for Detroit. 

However, he was used in a limited capacity, carrying the ball six times for 34 yards with one touchdown. Interestingly, he was able to remain a fixture in the passing game. Smith reeled in six passes for 46 yards on seven targets. 

Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers: December 10th, 2011

Roethlisberger's high-ankle sprain against the Browns on a Thursday night game in December looked eerily similar to Gronkowski's. 

Both were rolled up on, and at first looked to have possibly broken their ankles. 

Big Ben remarkably returned in the second half of that game and led the Steelers to victory, but was clearly hobbled throughout the final stanza. 

More than 10 days later, Roethlisberger laced them up against the ferocious San Francisco 49ers defense on Monday Night Football and again, his pocket mobility was severely compromised. 

Pittsburgh lost the game 20-3. Fighting through obvious pain, Ben threw three interceptions with no touchdowns. 

Playing quarterback is entirely different than blocking or running routes as a tight end, but the two guys are comparable in size and toughness—that's worth noting.

Conclusion

It's tough to peg exactly how the ankle is healing for Gronkowski, although he was spotted at media day without a walking boot.

I'd be surprised if he doesn't at least give it a try on Sunday, but history shows that coming back from a high-ankle sprain isn't easy, and most players have a hard time playing to their full potential if they don't have enough time to rest.

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