Rob Gronkowski Injury Update: Gronkowski Returned to Practice Thursday

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski returned to practice Thursday despite not participating on Wednesday.

ESPN Boston reports that Gronkowski was limited in practice Thursday, but this was his first practice since injuring his left ankle back on January 22 in the AFC Championship. 

I am fully expecting Gronkowski to play in Super Bowl XLVI—there's absolutely no doubt in my mind that he will play. It's only a matter of how well he'll be able to perform with a high ankle sprain.

Despite previous reports of Gronkowski possibly wearing a "specialized cleat," he told the media Thursday that he will not be using a "specialized cleat," but he could use some "extra devices" to aid his injury. 

"We just have many options about what we can do. We can tape it," Gronkowski told ESPN Boston. "But there is no such thing as a special cleat." 

We'll just have to wait until Super Bowl Sunday to actually see if Gronkowski will be wearing any "extra devices" to help his high ankle sprain. 

Be sure to check out Tony Santorsa's blog: PatriotsPlus