Rob Gronkowski is not having the greatest offseason. Reports have been flying each week regarding his broken forearm and a rumored infection that has set back the tight end's recovery. While it was rumored that the New England Patriot playmaker would have surgery to help clear up the infection, he is not putting that on hold according to the Boston Herald to see if antibiotics will help get him healthy.
Gronkowski has been battling an infection in his left forearm ever since it was discovered after his second surgery to repair his second broken arm. A surgery to heal the infection would ultimately install a new plate in his left arm. After consulting with team doctors and specialists, they made the decision to stay on course with the antibiotics and hope they take care of things.
Gronkowski's agent disputed reports saying the tight end was considering having surgery on his arm. He said nothing was scheduled and that antibiotics were always the option.
Gronkowski suffered the initial arm break during Week 11 when the Patriots faced the Indianapolis Colts. He was attempting to block and extra point at the time. After that healed, he suffered a second break after attempting to catch a pass from Tom Brady during the AFC Championship game against the Baltimore Ravens. He has already had three surgeries to help fix the breaks.
The antibiotics are a six-week course that should fix everything once and for all. If they do not work, a third surgery will happen and that could leave Gronkowski out for 10 weeks. That is the scenario the Patriots cannot afford to have happen. With the antibiotics, Gronkowski is likely to be ready to start the season right away, but surgery could delay his timeline to take the field.
Despite missing five games during the 2012 season, Gronkowski still managed to earn over 55 receptions for 790 yards and 11 touchdowns. After his breakout season in 2011, Gronkowski signed a long-term extension to remain in New England. He could 90 passes for 1,327 yards 17 touchdowns that year.
