The Facts: Following up on the ongoing story. ... Gronkowski came out of surgery Monday with good news for the New England Patriots. NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reported that the star tight end had new plates put into his troublesome left forearm and doctors have determined the infection in the arm is gone, according to a source. No further surgery is planned at this time.

Diehards Line: There's now hope that Gronkowski can be ready for the start of training camp. If the infection had not cleared, Gronkowski would've been heading for a fifth surgery that would've put his available for the start of the season in doubt. Now, as NFL.com's Dan Hanzus notes, the team can turn its focus to Gronkowski's other issue -- chronic back pain. Gronkowski recently underwent an MRI to determine the severity of the injury and will see spine specialist Robert Watkins in three to four weeks to see of back surgery is necessary. The team is hoping the back issue can be treated without surgery and the rehab process can be concurrent with the forearm. As Hanzus summed up: "Gronk isn't in the clear by any stretch, but Monday was a positive development in the Patriots' hope they have their star on the field by Week 1."