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Gronk cleared to play at Patriots training camp

File-This May 30, 2014, file photo shows New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski running while stretching during an organized team activity at the NFL football team's facility in Foxborough, Mass. When will Gronkowski play a full regular season? He missed five games in 2012 with a broken forearm and nine in 2013 while recovering from forearm and back surgery before tearing ligaments in his right knee. He participated on a limited basis in minicamp but ran hard on the sideline. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia, File) File-This May 30, 2014, file photo shows New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski running while stretching during an organized team activity at the NFL football team's facility in Foxborough, Mass. When will Gronkowski play a full regular season? He missed five games in 2012 with a broken forearm and nine in 2013 while recovering from forearm and back surgery before tearing ligaments in his right knee. He participated on a limited basis in minicamp but ran hard on the sideline. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia, File)

By Associated Press July 23, 2014 1 min read

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) – Rob Gronkowski has been cleared to play at the New England Patriots training camp.

Coach Bill Belichick says the star tight end has been cleared after offseason knee surgery. The Patriots hold their first public practice of camp on Thursday.

Belichick also says the health of the team is the most important thing for every player.

Gronkowski missed the last three regular-season games and both playoff games after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee when he was hit by Cleveland Browns safety T.J. Ward. Gronkowski underwent surgery in January.

He also missed the first six games while recovering from forearm and back operations. He played just seven games last season and finished with 39 catches and four touchdowns.

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