Patriots Notebook: Rob Gronkowski seeking medical clearance

Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski said that he's anxious to get back on the field after missing five games. (AP Images)

Rob Gronkowski just wants to get on the field and “put it on the line” for his teammates. He wants to catch passes, score touchdowns and celebrate with his guys after spiking the ball in the end zone. 

It’s a simple request that doesn’t have a simple solution, and that makes Gronkowski anxious. After taking part in the last five practices he’s yet to receive clearance on his surgically repaired forearm, which he broke Nov. 18 against the Indianapolis Colts.

"When they know it's safe and sound and ready to go, that's when it will be ready to go," the New England Patriots tight end said. "I trust in that. I'm anxious to get out there."

That day appears to be quickly approaching, although it is yet to arrive. Coach Bill Belichick said that Gronkowski would sit Sunday against the Dolphins if a decision about his availbitly had to be made Wednesday. But that could change in the coming days.

Gronkowski had 53 catches for 748 yards and 10 touchdowns before the injury. New England went 4-1 during the games he was sidelined.

If the choice were Gronkowski's, he would be on the field already. He said that his forearm is feeling good and that he had no problem staying in shape during the time that he was sidelined. But as Belichick reminded, that decision isn’t Gronkowski’s to make.

"If they're not cleared to play; then there's no decision to make,” Belichick said. “I don't think that's a decision a coach makes or influences."

Scoreboard watching: Even the Patriots have to cop to being human sometimes. Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins is important, but they will have a keen interest on what the Denver Broncos and Houston Texans are doing.

In other words, the Patriots will be doing some scoreboard watching.

“I’m sure we’ll be aware of that, yeah. No question,” QB Tom Brady said. “But I don’t think that changes what our goal is for the weekend. I think we’re trying to win this game, regardless. It could be different if some other teams win, but that’s really out of our control.”

New England is the No. 3 seed in the AFC. If the Houston Texans lose to Indianapolis at 1 p.m., the Pats will enter their 4:25 p.m. kickoff with a chance to earn a first-round bye. If Houston wins, New England will need Denver to lose to Kansas City at 4:25 p.m. to get a bye.

The Patriots need to win in both scenarios. So, with that in mind, coach Bill Belichick said he has no plans to rest his starters.

“Right now, no, we’re doing everything we can to get ready for the Dolphins,” Belichick said. “I’ve been around this league long enough to know that you can’t predict how things are going to go on Sundays in the NFL. We’ll control what we can control.”

Cunningham returns: DE Jermaine Cunningham returned to practice Wednesday after sitting out four games for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs.