The Gronk Is Cleared to Play

18 Oct, 2013

The drama is over. Rob Gronkowski will return to the New England Patriots’ lineup Sunday against the New York Jets.

The star tight end has been cleared by doctors, agent Drew Rosenhaus confirmed in an email to USA TODAY Sports on Friday morning.

Gronkowski, 24, underwent surgery June 18 to correct a spinal issue that nagged him last season. But it was his left forearm, which has been operated on four times and at one point became infected, that had been an issue in recent weeks.

Dr. James Andrews, the renowned orthopedist tasked with making the final determination on Gronkowski’s availability, didn’t clear him as expected for last week’s game against the New Orleans Saints.

Gronkowski has 187 catches for 2,663 yards and 38 touchdowns in three seasons. It remains to be seen how quickly he can return to all-pro form considering he has been inactive since the Patriots were eliminated from the playoffs in late January.

The Patriots somehow have gotten by without Gronkowski and others during an injury-plagued start to the season. They’re 5-1 entering Sunday.

USAToday

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