BOSTON (CBS) – Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski’s ankle injury has prevented him from practicing thus far, but according to a report, that will not prevent him from playing in Sunday’s Super Bowl.

“Barring a setback in practice this week, Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski will play in Super Bowl XLVI,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted on Thursday. “[He is] expected to be limited at practice today.”

Gronkowski spoke with reporters on Thursday morning, and he again faced a barrage of questions about his injured left ankle.

“It’s way better now than it was a week ago, so that’s all that matters,” Gronkowski said. “Taking positive strides, feeling way better. The pain’s obviously been down way more than it was a week ago. It gets better every day, and that’s all I can ask for.”

The 22-year-old also detailed what he has been doing while his teammates have been practicing.

“I spent extra time doing mental reps, learning the plays, making sure I’m ready, making sure I know my routes and my assignments in the blocking game,” Gronkowski said. “[I'm preparing] mentally, so when it does come down physically, I’m not thinking about what I gotta do.”

Gronkowski also wouldn’t rule out the possibility of being pain-free come Sunday night.

“Hopefully, man. You never know. When it comes down to game time, with the adrenaline rush and everything, I might be feeling like, I don’t even know if I’ll be able to feel it, because you’re just so hyped up and so motivated,” Gronkowski said. “But that’s the thing. I don’t know yet, because you gotta wait till the game. But that’s why we’re just taking it day by day.”

Just to have some fun with reporters, Gronkowsi walked in to the media session with an over-exaggerated limp.