Gronkowski 4th Surgery: Patriots Tight End to Be Ready by Training Camp?
New England Patriot tight end Rob Gronkowski will undergo his fourth arm surgery next week.
Just a few days after celebrating his 24th birthday, sources confirm Gronkowski is scheduled to undergo a fourth forearm surgery next week. He originally injured his arm last November, underwent surgery, and returned to the game before injuring his arm a second time in January.
The question of when Gronkowski would undergo surgery has become more prevalent as training season nears. In 2011, during his second season with the Patriots, Gronkowski set a single-season record for touchdowns by a tight end, with 17 receiving touchdowns, 18 overall. In 2012 he signed a six-year, $54 million contract extension, the largest ever for an NFL tight end.
Before injuring his left forearm in the fourth quarter of the Patriots' 59-24 victory over the Indiana Colts last November, Gronkowski continued to set NFL records. After his second injury and third surgery, his arm sustained an infection, making a fourth surgery imminent and further delaying his career return. The fourth surgery is likely to bring on at least 10 weeks of recovery, according to the ESPN. But having the surgery now is a "smart move" according to the report.
"The longer the New England Patriots Pro Bowl tight end waited, the more likely he would miss the start of the 2013 regular season," sportswriter James Walker suggested. The Patriots are hoping that the tight end will recover before training camp in July.
Noted orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews has been brought in to offer consultation during the operation. Doctors took x-rays this week, according to the NFL, in preparation for the impending surgery. Doctors are still unsure of Gronkowski has recovered from the infection. Assuming he has, the place in his left arm will be replaced.
