Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports

The Rob Gronkowski roller coaster has been a major storyline since the season has started. Gronk, who has had five surgeries since the end of last season (four on his forearm and one on his back) was hopeful to return finally this week against the New Orleans Saints. The New England Patriots side of this has made it sound like Gronk is ready, but Gronk’s camp has disagreed … which brings us to today.

Everything has been pointing to Gronkowski suiting up in Week 6 against the undefeated Saints, but reports have come out today from many sources, including Adam Schefter, saying the star TE has not yet been cleared to play. Gronkowski has been cleared by Patriots doctors, but he has not been cleared by his two independent doctors, which includes Dr. James Andrews.

Related: 4-WR Package Is A Big Change For New England Patriots

The Patriots are 4-1 but are coming off a week where they couldn’t find the end zone, and have struggled all year in the red zone. Gronk is their best red zone target and can make a huge impact to a struggling offense.

The news does not come at a good time as the hope for Patriots fans and fantasy players alike was that Gronk would finally suit up this week. There is still a chance that he plays this weekend against the Saints, and luckily for the Patriots, the game is not until 4:25 p.m., which will give him a little more time to be medically cleared.

The news worries a lot of people, and it is a concern that a guy who has been practicing since before Week 1 is still not medically cleared. There is a lot going on in this story, but the best thing for both sides will be getting a healthy Gronk on the field.

This will be something watched very closely over the next few days, and the announcement will most likely come around game time. Either way, the Patriots will have to find a way to win with or without their star TE.

Jared Smith is a Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @shmity91, “Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google.