21 weeks......that's how long it's been since Gronkowski had his final arm surgery where it was found that there was no further infection.
Now, obviously, none of us have all the facts, but in my experience (having had metal screws inserted during an operation) I can't see how anyone can say that Gronkowski is being rushed back.
Personally, I was pretty much fine after 8 weeks. Now, I wasn't being hit by 250 pound linebackers, but I didn't notice any difference between week 8 or 12 or 16 or 20 of my recovery.
If it is his arm, and he's been practicing with the team for 6 weeks, does this mean that he's had no contact...at all?
How many injuries can you think of where the person isn't ready by week 21 but is ready by week 22?
I've been researching the "healing rate" of bones in the arm. Obviously, there are many factors that are involved but the worst case scenario I found (outside of someone's arm being crushed) took about 12 weeks to heal.
Now, we know that the infection was gone when they opened him up for this last arm surgery and we know that he has been practicing these past 6 weeks. We also know that he had back surgery about 17 weeks ago (slowing down his recovery) and that this was not his first surgery on his arm.
I don't begrudge Gronkowski making long term decisions rather than making poor short term decisions. But I'm still having a difficult time understanding how someone could be practicing with the team for 6 weeks and still not be ready and I certainly can't see how the Patriots can be accused of "rushing him back" when they've already waited 21 weeks.
