What was originally viewed as a simple broken forearm (which is easier to say when it isn’t your forearm) has become a long-running issue for Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski.
And now, there’s a chance the complications from his surgeries (plural) could put his chances at opening the season at risk.
According to Ron Borges and Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald, Gronkowski’s still battling a stubbon infection, and may need to have yet another surgery to replace the metal plate designed to stabilize the bone.
According to the report, Gronkowski’s near the end of a six-week cycle of antibiotics, but doctors aren’t sure the infection is gone. Doctors plan to go back to take the metal plate out and install a new one to make sure the area is clean. If it isn’t (which they won’t know until they’re in there), they’ll have to make sure the tissue around the plate is clear of infection before putting a new plate in. That could push into the 10 weeks of healing time Gronkowski is said to need before the opener in September.
If the infection has cleared, he should have enough time to get healed for the start of the season, but that’s something they can’t guarantee.
He’s been on antibiotics since his third surgery in February, and doctors are expected to meet with him soon to determine a course of action.
While I’m not a doctor, and infections before breakfast are something I normally try to avoid on a Sunday, the report does sound a note of concern.
As it pertains to the football field, the Patriots obviously need him. But the multiple procedures and long treatment time raises questions about Gronkowski’s health beyond his ability to play football or dance shirtless.