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The Philadelphia Inquirer
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Sport
Marc Narducci

Rob Gronkowski, Malcom Butler miss media availability

ST. PAUL, Minn. _ Two of the key New England Patriots, tight end Rob Gronkowski and cornerback Malcom Butler, were not available Monday for Super Bowl LII opening night at the Excel Energy Center.

Gronkowski suffered a concussion in the second quarter of the Patriots' 24-20 win over Jacksonville in the AFC Championship Game on Jan. 21. He returned to practice Saturday on a limited basis but remains in the concussion protocol.

One of the NFL's most feared offensive weapons, Gronkowski had one reception for 21 yards against Jacksonville and has 10 career postseason touchdown catches.

Butler, the hero of the Super Bowl XLIX win over Seattle with his late interception of Russell Wilson, missed Monday night's event because of an illness, the team said.

Opening night used to be known simply as media day but is now done on the Monday night before the Super Bowl and televised live by NFL Network.

The Super Bowl's popularity is demonstrated by the number of media representatives covering the event. Michael Signora, the NFL's vice president of football communications, said more than 5,800 have been accredited to cover the game.

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