AP

The Patriots are finally about to get Rob Gronkowski back.

Gronkowski, the tight end who has missed the first five weeks of the season while recovering from back surgery, is expected to be cleared to play this week, a league source tells PFT. While it’s not definite that he’ll play, it’s likely.

The final decision will be made later in the week, with Dr. James Andrews in charge of the decision-making process.

That means Gronkowski should be good to go on Sunday against the Saints, as the Patriots attempt to avoid their second straight loss.

Gronkowski went through a rough offseason in which multiple surgeries were needed for a broken arm and subsequent infection, and the infection delayed his back surgery. There was some talk that the Patriots should have put Gronkowski on the physically unable to perform list and kept him out through Week Six, but if Gronkowski can help the Patriots beat the Saints on Sunday, keeping him on the active roster through five weeks will look like a wise move.