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Rob Gronkowski out 1-2 weeks with mild knee sprain

Rob Gronkowski had six receptions for 88 yards before he was injured Sunday.Matthew J. Lee/Globe staff

DENVER — None of the news that came out of the Mile High City Sunday night was good news, as far the Patriots were concerned.

Not only had the Broncos pulled off an improbable, come-from-behind overtime win — handing New England its first loss of the season — the fear was the Patriots had lost their most dynamic players on offense (non-Tom Brady division) and defense.

But the news turned more positive Monday, when it was determined the injuries to tight end Rob Gronkowski and linebacker Dont'a Hightower were not as severe as they first appeared.

According to a league source, an MRI revealed that Gronkowski suffered a mild knee sprain, and that he is not expected to miss significant time.

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Gronkowski has 57 receptions for 931 yards and 9 touchdowns. Brady has thrown more TDs to Gronkowski (62) than anyone else in franchise history.

A league source confirmed to the Globe that Hightower suffered a sprained MCL in his right knee. Generally, that injury isn't considered season-ending, and it's possible Hightower misses just 2-3 weeks.

In the locker room following the 30-24 loss, both players were moving around without obvious signs of distress.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick had no injury updates when addressing reporters on a conference call Monday afternoon.

"We're not even 24 hours after the game,'' he said. "I know everyone wants an instant analysis, but I think it's more important to be right than to just jump in and start talking about a lot of stuff that's inaccurate."

Gronkowski was hurt in the fourth quarter on a first-down pass from Brady when he was undercut by Broncos safety Darian Stewart. Gronkowski was in immediate distress, writhing in pain and reaching for the knee.

He eventually left on a cart after being attended to by members of the medical staff.

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The tackle was eerily similar to the takedown by Browns safety T.J. Ward in 2013, a hit that tore the 6-foot-6-inch, 265-pound Gronkowski's right ACL.

Coincidentally, Ward is now a Bronco, and he left Sunday night's game with an ankle injury in the first quarter.

Although the hit on Gronkowski looked dangerous in real time and especially bad in slow motion, several Patriots, including Brady, didn't believe Stewart was being particularly reckless.

"I hate to see it, but it really is the only way defenders can hit now,'' Brady said after the game, alluding to the NFL's safety concerns about hits to the shoulder and head area. "I don't think it's dirty. I just think that is how football is played now.''

Gronkowski had collected a team-high six catches for 88 yards, including a 23-yard touchdown on New England's opening drive.

Despite not having his top pass catcher, Brady did lead the Patriots on a drive for a field goal that sent the game to overtime.

Hightower was injured while helping to bring down Broncos tight end Owen Daniels after a second-quarter reception.

Field conditions were starting to deteriorate, and players, particularly on the defensive side, were having trouble gaining traction in a light but steady snow when Hightower was hurt. He had slipped on a previous play.

Hightower hobbled off on his own before being attended to by the medical staff. He eventually made his way to the locker room before halftime. He returned to the sideline — but not the game — after the break.

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Hightower, who entered the game as the team's second-leading tackler with 53 stops, was missed immediately as Ronnie Hillman scored on a 19-yard run two plays after the linebacker exited.

With Hightower, one of the league's most versatile and physical defenders, in the game, the Broncos rushed for just 43 yards on 15 carries. After his exit, Denver ran for 136 yards and three touchdowns on 17 totes, including C.J. Anderson's 48-yard touchdown in overtime.

Jonathan Freeny likely will get an increase in playing time as long as Hightower is out. Additionally, Jamie Collins returned to practice after a near three-week absence from an illness, and his return to game action could be imminent.

Earlier this season, Hightower missed the Colts game after suffering a shoulder injury early against the Cowboys.


Jim McBride can be reached at james.mcbride@globe.com.