Analysis: Patriots' past without Gronkowski will help

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FOXBOROIt appears Rob Gronkowskis instinct to keep his left arm out of harms way two weeks ago were well-founded.

Early in the first quarter Sunday, the Patriots tight end landed hard on his injured arm. Soon after landed in an X-ray machine. Now hes landed on the done for the season list

Gronkowski re-broke the arm on the play and will be lost for the remainder of the playoffs, according to a source.

Its a big deal. But if the Patriots hadnt already made it through five full games without Gronkowski, it would be a much bigger blow.

The Patriots went 4-1 after losing Gronkowski in the final minutes of the teams 59-24 win over Indianapolis. The Patriots got by during that stretch featuring Michael Hoomanawanui in Gronkowskis role and getting a strong performance from an unheralded player.

Now it appears Hoomanawanui -- who left the locker room with a heavy wrap on his leg -- becomes Gronk again.

At this point, the reckless Gronkowski is trending toward injury prone. He entered the NFL in 2010 as a second-round pick because back surgery while he was at the University of Arizona caused him to miss the 2009 season. In 2011, he broke his ankle in the AFC Championship game and was severely limited in the Super Bowl.

The broken arm he suffered occurred while blocking for an extra point. Its arresting to see a player who puts himself through car-crash type collisions yet gets up and plays on, laid low with greater frequency.

There should be question as to whether Gronkowski believed he was healthy enough to play.

After getting hurt November 18, Gronkowski returned briefly for the regular-season finale against Miami but played sparingly. He didnt look comfortable having the arm in position to be contacted directly.

Sunday, eight weeks after the injury occurred, the arm gave way on a hard but fairly routine fall to the ground. The initial timetable for the injury was 6-to-8 weeks. Sunday was the eight-week mark.

How will the Patriots negotiate their final two games (possibly) without Gronkowski? Probably much the same as they did the previous five -- relying on their depth to give a reasonable approximation of Gronkowskis efforts.

Aaron Hernandez, who missed six games due to an ankle injury early in the year, will remain a focal point. Hoomanawanui will be expected to be the secret downfield weapon. Who will fill Gronks role of being Gronk during Super Bowl week in New Orleans if it comes to pass? Unfillable.

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