New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski has been medically cleared to play on Sunday against the New York Jets.  Despite receiving the clearance, Patriots coach Bill Belichick declined to confirm whether Gronkowski would play on Sunday.

"Rob Gronkowski has now been cleared by all his doctors to play Sunday in the Jets game," Gronkowski's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said on Friday in a text message to multiple media outlets, according to ESPN.

Although Gronkowski has fully participated in practice for weeks, he's awaited medical clearance from Dr. James Andrews, a consultant outside of the Patriots' medical staff, before returning to games.

His return has been subject to numerous rumors over the past couple weeks.  A Boston Globe report indicated a rift between Gronkowski and the Patriots; an ESPN report indicated growing friction in the locker room between Gronkowski and his teammates, some of who wondered if he planned to return at all.

Another Globe report suggested Gronkowski could holdout the entire season for money reasons.

Belichick wouldn't confirm Gronkowski's status on Friday and told reporters the team's injury report would be released later in the day.

Gronkowski has been recovering from undergoing four forearm surgeries and one back surgery - all in the span of less than a year.  Despite having not yet made his season debut, the 24-year-old Pro Bowler has maintained his health is continually improving.

"I'm just improving every week, that's all, really," he said, via ESPN.  "I mean, like I said, nothing's changed, man, and nothing has changed the whole time.  And just the one thing that has changed actually is that I'm improving every week and it's going good."