The Patriots' star tight end "has now been cleared by all his doctors to play Sunday in the Jets game," Drew Rosenhaus, his agent, said Friday.
Gronkowski's return would be very good news for the Patriots (5-1), who have struggled on offense, and bad news for the Jets (3-3), who would have to find a way to stop the two-time Pro Bowl standout. He was questionable on the Patriots' injury report Friday for the fifth straight week, meaning they list his chances of playing Sunday at 50-50.
Gronkowski had offseason surgery on his back and broken left forearm. But he participated in every practice on a limited basis since the season began, and has watched as the Patriots opened 5-1. His status for each game has drawn plenty of attention, with reporters surrounding his locker for his weekly media availability. He had shed little light on that, often saying he was taking it "day by day" and was eager to resume playing.
Approached after practice Friday to comment on his status against the Jets, Gronkowski joked, "Ask Matt," as he looked at tight end Matthew Mulligan at a nearby locker. A Patriots official said Gronkowski already had fulfilled his media obligations for the week and wouldn't answer questions.
Gronkowski had told reporters on Thursday that "I'm just improving every week. That's all. Like I said, nothing has changed."
The Patriots are 14th in the NFL in average yards gained and 22nd in points per game. They led the league in both categories last season then didn't re-sign their top two wide receivers, Wes Welker and Brandon Lloyd. They cut tight end Aaron Hernandez after he was arrested and before he was charged with first-degree murder. He pleaded not guilty to that charge and five weapons-related charges and is being held without bail.
The 6-6 Gronkowski is a huge, reliable target. He has 187 catches in his 43 games with the Patriots and set NFL records in 2011 for tight ends with 1,327 yards receiving and 18 touchdowns. He also is outstanding in the red zone, an area where the Patriots have struggled.
They rank 30th in the NFL with nine touchdowns on 22 trips inside the 20-yard line after leading the league last season.
Gronkowski's return would be a departure from the team's recent trend of losing key players such as linebacker Jerod Mayo and nose tackle Vince Wilfork, both of whom were placed on season-ending IR. Getting Gronkowski back is especially important because wide receiver Danny Amendola will be out Sunday because of a concussion and groin injury.
Star cornerback Aqib Talib returned to practice Friday but is doubtful after hurting his hip against the Saints.
BUM PHILLIPS DIES
Bum Phillips, the folksy Texas football icon who coached the Houston Oilers during their Luv Ya Blue heyday and also led the New Orleans Saints, died Friday. He was 90.
"Bum is gone to Heaven," son Wade Phillips tweeted Friday night. "Loved and will be missed by all — great Dad, Coach, and Christian."
Phillips died at his ranch in Goliad.
Wade Phillips is the Houston Texans' defensive coordinator.
Born Oail Andrew Phillips Jr. in 1923 in Orange, Phillips was a Texas original in his blue jeans, boots and trademark white Stetson — except at the Astrodome or any other dome stadium because he was taught it was disrespectful to wear a hat indoors.
"Mama always said that if it can't rain on you, you're indoors," Phillips said.
Phillips loved the Oilers and when coaching the team in the 1970s, he famously said of the Cowboys: "They may be 'America's Team,' but we're Texas' team."
WARE MAY TRY TO PLAY
DeMarcus Ware began this week believing he would miss a game for the first time in his eight-year career.
Now the Dallas defensive end is thinking he might try to play Sunday in an NFC East showdown at Philadelphia, despite being listed as doubtful after not practicing all week with a strained right quadriceps muscle.
"You've just got to keep playing," said Ware, who has played in 134 straight games, with 133 starts. "You've just got to look at it as a business."
Ware has played hurt before—as recently as last year when he stayed on the field with a shoulder injury that required offseason surgery. He also has a history of neck problems and has recently dealt with back issues, too.
This is the first lower-body injury, though, and Ware limped through several plays against the Redskins before giving in and settling for street clothes in the second half.
If Ware plays, it won't surprise coach Jason Garrett, who says the franchise's career sack leader gets more leeway in a decision that ultimately will be made by the team's medical staff.
"He's quick, he's fast, explosive, all that stuff," Garrett said. "But again, I think the intangible traits are what make DeMarcus Ware who he is. He's got great passion for the game, a great work ethic, a great competitive spirit. And he brings it every week. He's done that for a long, long time."
The 31-year-old Ware says he isn't trying to keep a streak alive. He just says his body heals quickly, and he doesn't waste any time trying to get ready.
"You don't want to be defined as just a number," said Ware, who nonetheless will be because of his lofty career sack total of 115. "You want to be somebody that when you get out there, you're wreaking havoc and playing. If I can do that this week, I'm going to get out there and play."
Ware said one thing's for sure: Suggestions that he would miss three to four weeks will be wrong.
ASSOCIATE ENTERS PLEA
An associate of Aaron Hernandez has pleaded not guilty to an accessory to murder charge related to the case against the former Patriots player.
Carlos Ortiz was arraigned Friday in superior court following his indictment on a charge of accessory to murder after the fact in the killing of Odin Lloyd.
The defense and prosecution agreed that Ortiz would be held on $500,000 cash bail until a Nov. 20 hearing. Ortiz previously pleaded not guilty to a weapons charge and had been held without bail.
Hernandez has pleaded not guilty to murder in Lloyd's death. Prosecutors say Ortiz and "right-hand man" Ernest Wallace were with Hernandez when Lloyd was shot to death at an industrial park in June.
Hernandez's girlfriend pleaded not guilty this week to a perjury charge related to the case.
WHITE'S STREAK ENDS
Because of ankle and hamstring injuries, Falcons receiver Roddy White will miss the first game of his nine-year career on Sunday.
The four-time Pro Bowl selection was one of three Atlanta starters listed as out on Friday's injury report in advance of Sunday's game against the Buccaneers. White had played in every game since joining the Falcons as a first-round draft pick in 2005, a consecutive games streak of 133. According to UAB officials via ESPN, White last missed a game on Sept. 29, 2001—his freshman season.
White, Atlanta's career-leading receiver, has tried to play through his leg problems, catching only 14 passes for 129 yards and no touchdowns. He suffered a high ankle sprain during the preseason.
Atlanta (1-4) lost Pro Bowl wideout Julio Jones to season-ending foot surgery in the Week 5 loss to the Jets. Jones led the NFL in catches and ranked second in yards receiving at the time.
Running back Steven Jackson (hamstring) and left tackle Sam Baker (knee) will not play against Tampa Bay (0-5). Starting middle linebacker Akeem Dent (knee) is questionable. The Falcons had their bye last week.
FOLES TO START AGAIN
Michael Vick is the speedy, elusive, strong-armed quarterback. Nick Foles is more of the classic pocket passer.
Despite obvious differences in the skill sets of his top two quarterbacks, Chip Kelly insists the Eagles run the same offense no matter which player is under center.
"We do the same things offensively with Nick that we did with Mike, and I think that's the beauty of those guys," Kelly said. "There are some things that Nick does different than Mike does. But it's not like we're going to be an I-formation team if Nick's in the game."
Foles will make his second straight start Sunday when the Eagles (3-3) host the Cowboys (3-3) in a battle for first place in the NFC East. Vick had been playing well before injuring his hamstring late in the first half against the Giants on Oct. 6.
Foles has filled in nicely, leading the Eagles to two wins and sparking a full-blown quarterback controversy in Philadelphia. Kelly hasn't diffused it by refusing to say whether Vick will regain his starting job when he's healthy.
Strong arguments could be made to support either side. Vick has thrown for 1,185 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions, and has 307 yards rushing and two more scores. Foles has completed 67.2 percent of his passes for 542 yards, six touchdowns, zero interceptions and has a passer rating of 127.9.
Vick led the Eagles to 11 touchdowns and 10 field goals on 54 drives for an average of 1.96 points per drive. Foles has led them to seven touchdowns and three field goals on 22 drives, an average of 2.64 points per drive.
"Nick moves a little bit better than some people give him credit for and I think Mike operates from the pocket a little bit better than some people give him credit for," offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur said. "They both function equally well in our offense and they both have been efficient. They both can do anything we want them to do for us to be successful on offense."
Vick appears more suited to operate Kelly's zone-read offense because of his superior scrambling ability. When he's on the field, the Eagles seemingly have a more dangerous rushing attack because opponents have to defend against Vick and LeSean McCoy. But, McCoy had 116 yards rushing in last week's win at Tampa Bay.
With Foles, the Eagles have been more efficient in the red zone. Foles is 5 for 9 for 37 yards with three touchdowns and a rushing touchdown inside the opponents' 20. Vick is 5 for 19 for 38 yards and one score. But he had one of his passes dropped in the end zone by James Casey and another dropped by Brent Celek inside the 5.
Contributors: Carl Moritz, The Associated Press
