"New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski enjoys spiking the football with force after scoring a touchdown. He hopes there is an opportunity to do so in Super Bowl XLVI, but for now, he was happy to spike the large walking boot he had been wearing for his left high ankle sprain.

"No more boot," Gronkowski said during Tuesday's media day session at Lucas Oil Stadium. "That thing is done with."

Gronkowski called it a positive step toward playing Sunday night against the New York Giants, later hinting that would be the case.

"It's the Super Bowl this week, the biggest game. It's not a regular-season game," he said. "You have to treat it a lot differently.""