Bad news for New England Patriots fans as the Boston Herald‘s Karen Guregian reported that Pro Bowl tight end Rob Gronkowski will require yet another surgery on his injured forearm. This will be the fourth operation on Gronk’s twice-broken arm. Gronk smash.

Gronk had recently completed a six-week course of antibiotic treatment after the broken arm became infected. Many speculated that Gronk could get away without a fourth operation, though inevitably the metal plate needs to be replaced and the surrounding tissue tested. If the infection hasn’t completely subsided, the operation will have to wait and could push the recovery period into the late summer, or even worse, early fall.

Should Gronk’s recovery be delayed, the Patriots have a formidable replacement in Aaron Hernandez who holds his own on the gridiron even when Gronk is healthy.

The 23-year-old Gronkowski broke his arm in Week 11 of last season and then missed Weeks 12-16. He re-broke the arm in the playoffs, and the status of his arm has been a much-discussed topic in New England since. Gronk is no slouch when it comes to the party scene and nightlife, as well as being a notorious rough-houser. During the off season at a party in Las Vegas, video footage captured the fist-bumping receiver calling directly on his busted arm.

On June 8, 2012, Gronkowski signed a six-year, $54 million contract extension, the largest ever for an NFL tight end. The contract included an $8 million signing bonus, but leaves the 2012 and 2013 seasons of his rookie contract intact. In 2011 he set NFL records for touchdowns in a season with 18, yards in a season by a tight end with 1,327, and consecutive seasons with more than 10 touchdowns by a tight end with three.

Time to hear from Pats fans out there. Is anyone worried Gronk may miss the start of the 2013 season? Will his recovery prove to be more successful than initially thought? Will Gronk party the lights out in the mean time?