Patriots' Gronkowski cleared to play, won't begin camp on PUP list

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski has been cleared to participate in training camp and won't begin on the PUP list as many had speculated, head coach Bill Belichick told the media Wednesday. 

It's an extremely positive sign for a player who finished the 2013 season on IR after tearing his ACL and MCL on Dec. 8. That wasn't the only major injury that marred the dominant tight end's campaign; he missed the first six weeks of the season as he recovered from back and forearm injuries.

Gronkowski's stated goal is to play all 16 games this season. If he accomplishes his goal, it will be the first time since 2011 that he hasn't missed at least five games due to injury.

It's still not a lock that Gronkowski will be on the field come Week 1. A setback in his surgically repaired knee remains a possibility. Nonetheless, today's news should have Patriots fans jumping for joy.