Super Bowl 2012: Players That Must Step Up If Rob Gronkowski Is Out

Rob Gronkowski is dealing with a high-ankle sprain and will not be 100 percent this Sunday for the Super Bowl against the New York Giants, if he even plays.

According to Rotoworld, the team is now looking into a special cleat that would reduce the pain and pressure on his injured ankle.

It’s not looking good for the Pats’ star TE to be an absolute force on the field like he usually is, so here are three players that must step up in his place.

Aaron Hernandez

This is the obvious answer, as Hernandez is the only other TE on New England’s roster.

He quietly had a big year, catching 79 passes for 910 yards and seven touchdowns.

Coach Bill Belichick has also started using him as a tailback, giving more touches to a dynamic playmaker out of the backfield.

There is no question that the second-year man out of Florida can produce when needed, as evidenced by his big outings against Buffalo and Denver late in the regular season.

Chad Ochocinco

The eccentric WR had a challenging year, hauling in just 15 receptions for 276 yards and a single TD.

It did not get any easier for him when his father passed away before the AFC championship game and the team made him inactive.

He’s still got all the talent in the world and certainly has some motivation to star in the Super Bowl, the biggest stage for a man who never shies away from the spotlight.

Nate Solder 

When the Patriots went into an obvious running package this season, they would use Solder as a third TE and eligible receiver.

He never caught any passes and his positioning made it obvious his team would be running, but that could change in the big game.

Belichick is a master schemer and could have some big plans for Solder down near the goal line.

Remember, this is a team that often threw TDs to Mike Vrabel, a linebacker by trade.