Tampa Bay Buccaneers star tight end Rob Gronkowski hasn't played since Week 3 against the Los Angeles Rams because of broken ribs and a punctured lung, but there's optimism that he'll be back for Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapaport.

Gronkowski is considered a game-time decision and will go through a pregame workout to see if he's able to play. Tom Brady and the Buccaneers would obviously love to have Gronk back in the lineup after his strong start to the season before the injury. He caught two touchdowns in each of the first two games and then had four catches for 55 yards in the Rams game.

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In addition to Gronk being on the mend, the Buccaneers are also hoping to get Antonio Brown back after the bye week. Brown didn't play in Week 7 against the Chicago Bears and won't play against the Saints on Sunday. Week 9 is Tampa Bay's bye week, and then the hope is he'll return from his foot/heel injuries against the Washington Football Team in Week 10 action.

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Brown has had a big season, catching 29 passes for 418 yards and four touchdowns in five games. Tampa Bay is loaded with talent on offense, and having Brown and Gronk back would only make them more dangerous for the second half of the season.

The defense could also be getting a boost after the bye week, with cornerbacks Carlton Davis and Sean Murphy-Bunting both potentially back in the lineup.

The Buccaneers are 6-1 on the season to sit atop the NFC South. With Brady looking like an MVP candidate, many expect them to repeat as Super Bowl champions.