“You know I don’t like giving out a lot of injury information, but please keep Rob in your thoughts and prayers,” said an emotional Bill Belichick at a press conference today. “He has been downgraded from day-to-day and all we can do now is hope for the best and that Rob might have as much comfort as possible in whatever time he has left.”

Gronkowski, New England’s leading receiver, missed the team’s practice yesterday and his high ankle sprain has spread even higher — into his kidneys, liver and lungs.

“Right now we’re working to keep the high ankle sprain for getting to his heart,” said Dr. Thomas Gill, Patriots team physician. “If it gets that high, there’s nothing we can do.”

The Patriots say their 22 year-old tight end has a “do not resuscitate” order, or DNR, in place should the ankle sprain stop his breathing.