Rob Gronkowski may finally play this weekend after missing the New England Patriots’ first five games of the season. Gronkowski has been practicing with the team while recovering from back and multiple forearm surgeries, and his date of return has been disputed. There was speculation that he would return earlier in the season, but Gronk has remained out for the first five weeks. There were reports that he and the team are at odds, though he and the team denied that. Now WEEI has added something new to the conversation.
According to WEEI’s Mike Petraglia, Gronk’s forearm, which the tight end broke on a fluke play while providing protection on an extra point during a Nov. 18 game against the Indianapolis Colts last year, would have healed on its own had the team not done anything. However, the team wanted to speed up Gronk’s return to the field and performed surgery on the forearm in hopes that inserting an implementation would allow the Pro Bowl tight end to return for the playoffs. Gronk returned in Week 17 and caught a touchdown pass against the Miami Dolphins, but he re-broke the forearm in the team’s first playoff game. Gronk then had surgery again to repair the break, and he had two additional surgeries after the forearm became infected.
Yes, Gronk had four surgeries in seven months to help fix a break that would have healed on its own without any surgery. That is just one of the many reasons Gronk, his family, and his representatives have concerns over the Patriots team doctors (the team doctor performed the first surgery).
Gronkowski sought out the advice of the respected Dr. James Andrews concerning his forearm. Both he and the team have entrusted the doctor with making the determination of when Gronk could return to play. That explains why reports said there was a rift between the sides; Gronk wants to make sure his forearm is completely ready for football this time, while the Pats want him back. Who can really blame Gronkowski for taking his time after all that’s happened?
