New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is scheduled to undergo a fourth surgery on his left forearm next week, sources told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter. The exact date of the surgery is not yet set.

Gronkowski brought in noted orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews to consult on the surgery. It will be performed by Dr. Jesse Jupiter of Massachusetts General Hospital. Jupiter specializes in the care of traumatic and reconstructive problems of the upper limb, including fracture healing and failure to heal.

The fourth surgery had been considered "very likely" since Gronkowski sustained an infection in the left forearm earlier this year.

Assuming the infection has been eradicated, the fourth surgery would replace the plate in Gronkowski's forearm, and the estimate for a recovery would be about 10 weeks, sources previously told ESPNBoston.com. Assuming all goes well for Gronkowski, that could put Gronkowski's projected return right around the start of training camp in late July.

Gronkowski originally broke the arm Nov. 18 in a game against the Indianapolis Colts. He returned to action on Dec. 30 in the regular-season finale, then broke the forearm again in the AFC divisional round of the playoffs on Jan. 13 against the Houston Texans.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network first reported Gronkowski needed a fourth surgery.