FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Rob Gronkowski’s playing status for the
Super Bowl was listed as questionable on Friday after the star
tight end missed the New England Patriots practice for the second
straight day with an injured left ankle.

Twelve other players also were listed as questionable but
participated in practice on a limited basis. That could change
since more than a week remains before the game against the New York
Giants on Feb. 5.

WIVB-TV in Buffalo reported that Gronkowski’s father, Gordy
Gronkowski, said he has a high ankle sprain. The station said his
father expects him to be fine for the Super Bowl.

The Patriots have not disclosed the extent of the injury, and
coach Bill Belichick rarely provides details on injuries.

For the second straight day, Gronkowski was not in the locker
room during the period when media were allowed in. The former UA
standout, whose 17 touchdown catches set an NFL single-season
record for tight ends, was injured in the AFC championship
game.

Oakland hires coach

ALAMEDA, Calif. – Hiring a new coach has become almost
commonplace for the Raiders, who will have their seventh coach in
the past 10 seasons in 2012. As the first coach hired in the
post-Al Davis era in Oakland, Dennis Allen will have a much
different task than his predecessors.

The Raiders officially announced Allen’s hiring on Friday, three
days after reports initially emerged that he was new general
manager Reggie McKenzie’s choice to lead the franchise. Allen will
be officially introduced at a news conference Monday but has likely
already started the process of putting together his first staff as
a head coach at any level.

Extra points

• Wide receiver Hakeem Nicks, cornerback Corey Webster and
linebacker Jacquian Williams missed their second straight day of
practice for the Giants. Williams might be the Giants’ biggest
concern among those players. He wore a walking cast on his right
foot Friday.

• The Miami Dolphins hired Joe Philbin as offensive coordinator
on Friday, also adding Kevin Coyle as defensive coordinator.

• The Baltimore Ravens opted for continuity in their coaching
staff, promoting linebackers coach Dean Pees to replace defensive
coordinator Chuck Pagano and retaining offensive coordinator Cam
Cameron.

• The Cleveland Browns hired former Minnesota coach Brad
Childress as offensive coordinator on Friday.