We’re still a couple of weeks away from getting a definitive answer about whether Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is going to need another surgery on his forearm, but reports from those with access to Patriots workouts bring some good news.
Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com reports that sources say Gronkowski “looks great” while working in the team’s offseason program while he waits to find out if an infection will force him to have a fourth operation since initially breaking the forearm last season. There have been no unexpected setbacks, which doesn’t mean Gronkowski will avoid an operation but it is obviously better than if more problems had popped up in the last month.
If Gronkowski does wind up needing surgery, which was termed very likely last month, there would be some doubt about his ability to be on the field for Week One of the regular season. Doctors would have to deal with the infection and then put a new plate in the arm, which would then require 10 weeks of rehab before Gronkowski could return to the field.
It’s one of many things up in the air for the Patriots at tight end, where they also have Aaron Hernandez recovering from shoulder surgery. Should it all work out, the Patriots offense will be just fine in 2013. If not, their two rookie receivers may wind up needing to play a bigger role than expected.