Rob Gronkowski's return from multiple offseason surgeries has been the subject of mystery and speculation during the first part of the New England Patriots' season.
Some have questioned Gronkowski's timeline for returning.
"I don't understand why this story has gotten so much traction," his agent Drew Rosenhaus told 560 WQAM-AM (via The Boston Globe). "There are dozens of players around the NFL who aren't playing because they are injured and coming back from surgery. And in Rob's case, this is really straightforward. Up to this point, he hasn't been cleared to play in a game. He has not been cleared by Dr. (James) Andrews, who is the supervising doctor."
Gronkowski is one of the NFL's most productive tight ends.
"There's a huge difference between being cleared to practice and being cleared to play in a game," Rosenhaus said. "I've had great dialogue with coach (Bill) Belichick and the Patriots' medical staff, and Rob and his family. Everybody's on the same page, except it's gotten a lot of play in the media and all these unsubstantiated sources."