Throughout much of this season, New England Patriots Pro Bowl tight end Rob Gronkowski has had his difficulties dealing with nagging back and ankle injuries that have limited his availability and performance on the field.

It has brought forth questions whether Gronkowski can return to playing at a high level that has become accustomed to seeing him at throughout his illustrious career with the Patriots. This is something that star quarterback Tom Brady recently voiced during an interview with Westwood One Radio on Monday, according to Ryan Hannable of WEEI.

“First of all, Gronk is a great player,” Tom Brady said Monday night on Westwood One Radio. “And Gronk is extremely tough and hard working. I know he’s working hard at his rehabilitation. We’re all hoping that when he comes back, he’s the same player he always is. When he comes back, that’s really up to the trainers to decide. In the meantime, what we can do for the players out on the field who are trying to play better and earn these victories is do a better job in our areas and focus on what we need to. When I think about myself, I think about how I need to play and what things I need to improve to give our team a better chance to win. And as we get guys healthy here over the next six weeks up until the end of the season … obviously, having good players out there helps a team. The better players you have, the better the team is going to be.”

At this point, there is no certainty of whether Gronkowski will be able to return to that form this season as he has struggled to stay on the field in the last couple of weeks. The persistent injuries have prevented him from playing in three games this season, which has continued to put his status for a return up in the air.

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Even when he was on the field, he had trouble performing at a high level as he recorded 29 catches for 448 receiving yards and touchdown. His lone touchdown came in the season opener against the Houston Texans in which has been his best outing of the year with seven catches for 123 receiving yards and a touchdown.

The only the Patriots can continue to do is allow for Gronkowski to recover from his injuries, which upon his return it clearly sounds like he will assume his large role in the passing game in hopes he can get back to playing like arguably the best tight end in the league.