New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski has been battling a “stubborn infection” in the area around where a second metal plate was installed to repair his broken left forearm, putting his readiness for the start of the season in jeopardy, according to Ron Borges and Karen Guregian of The Boston Herald.

Gronkowski is currently nearing the end of a six-week cycle of antibiotic treatments to help with the infection, but he hasn’t been assured that it has been completely eradicated. After the cycle, doctors will have to go back into the arm, remove the plate currently in it and install a new. However, if they continue to see evidence of infected tissue they will have to wait to add the new plate.

If this is the case, sources tell The Boston Herald that Gronk would not have the required 10 weeks of recovery time he needs to be ready for the Patriots’ season opener in September. If the infection is cleared by the antibiotics, the new plate will be added and the tight end will have enough time to prepare for the beginning of the new campaign.