New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski was taken to the locker room near the end of the first half of Sunday's AFC Championship Game after receiving a hard hit from Jacksonville Jaguars safety Barry Church. The star is questionable to return.
While reaching to haul in a deep pass, Gronkowski was leveled by Church, who appeared to make contact with his helmet. The safety was flagged for unnecessary roughness.
Gronk takes BIG hit from Barry Church, and is now being evaluated for a concussion.pic.twitter.com/AmR1UZQQBt
— LeadingNFL ™ (@LeadingNFL) January 21, 2018
Gronk was taken to the sideline and then the locker room with little more than a minute to play in the first half.
He remained there after halftime and was being evaluated by an independent neurologist. The Patriots listed Gronkowski as questionable to return to the game due to a head injury.
Despite the violent nature of the hit, Church had support from a fellow defensive back in Richard Sherman.
The hit on Gronk is the only way Church could have done his job without just obliterating Gronks knee. If he would have just hit him low most ppl would calm him dirty. So there is nothing he can do to make everyone happy and do his job. Unless you think he should let him catch
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) January 21, 2018
