New England Patriots

Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski had his surgery as scheduled on Monday to install a plate in his broken left arm.

Perhaps more significant is that the surgery revealed that the infection in the arm has cleared, ProFootballTalk.com reported.

This is good news for Gronkowski, who has had four surgeries since he sustained the forearm fracture in November 2012.

Gronkowski is expected to have back surgery during the offseason as well. That surgery might have been tied to the results of the arm surgery. But the clearing of the infection may allow Gronkowski to move forward with the back procedure.

Gronkowski is scheduled to visit spine specialist Robert Watkins now that he has had the arm surgery.

If back surgery is needed, it is hoped the recovery time for that procedure will coincide with the recovery time for the forearm operation.

Recovery time for the arm surgery is expected to be eight to 10 weeks.

Complicating the injury issue is that Gronkowski, 24, has been unable to work out during the offseason. He has battled an infection in the arm since surgery in February and was put on a six-week antibiotic regimen by doctors with the hope of avoiding another operation. One other concern is the possibility of a fifth surgery if the infection has not disappeared. That would prolong his recovery and jeopardize Gronkowski's availability for the start of the 2013 season.

He is signed through the 2019 season.

--Last season, Kyle Love started 11 games for the Patriots at defensive tackle and he has 25 starts in 41 career games since making the team as an undrafted free agent in 2010.

However, Love was abruptly waived by the team Wednesday with the designation non-football illness shortly after recently being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.

Love's agent, Richard Kopelman, told ESPNBoston.com, "Naturally, we are disappointed that the Patriots decided to part ways with Kyle. Especially in light of the fact that a number of elite, professional athletes with diabetes - both Type 1, which is known to be far more difficult to manage than Type 2 diabetes - have had very successful careers in professional football, hockey, baseball, and basketball."

Kopelman acknowledged that Love had lost weight before he found out he had diabetes, but that most of the weight came back after he altered his diet.

Kopelman added, "Having consulted with leading authorities on the effects of Type 2 diabetes, we have every reason to believe that Kyle will, in the immediate future, be at 100 percent, and will be prepared to participate in training camp in a couple of months. As Kyle said, 'There is no way something like this is going to stand between me and a long and successful NFL career.'"

Thursday, Love was claimed on waivers by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Prior to that Kopelman further revealed the Patriots had given Love the choice of either retiring for a year or being released as soon as the diagnosis was confirmed.

Kopelman said, "We have every reason to believe Kyle is going to be well enough to play this year. We'd rather be in position of having a chance to play this year versus not having a chance to play this year."

The agent said he told the team "it's far too early to make a decision as to whether (he) can perform his job in September, or even July (because) all indications are that Kyle should be fine in a couple of weeks."

Kopelman said the Patriots were from and saying it was "a medical issue and they don't want to take a chance of Kyle not being healthy."

• It's called rookie minicamp, but not all of the 33 players on the practice fields of New England last week were new to pro football.

  Beyond the seven draft picks, 19 rookie free agents and handful of try-out players, there were two more experienced players. One may have a legitimate chance at being a long-term impact player for the Patriots even though he was never drafted or even originally signed as an undrafted NFL rookie free agent out of college.

  One is former Northeastern star and Brockton, Mass., native Jason Vega signed with the Patriots this offseason as a versatile defensive option in the Rob Ninkovich-mold after a couple years spent with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. His story of coming out of a lower level of college football and working his way toward a chance at the NFL is not unique.

  The same can't be said for Armond Armstead, who was a CFL All Star last season and helped the Toronto Argonauts to the Grey Cup. The athletic defensive lineman actually played college football as a highly regarded recruit at USC before being sidelined with a heart condition and was not cleared to play by the Trojans medical staff for his senior season in 2011.

  He claimed the heart attack was caused from injections of the painkiller Toradol by the USC medical staff and has a pending lawsuit against the school.

  Armstead was projected as high as a third round prospect by NFLDraftScout.com going into his senior season in 2011. However, he spent five days in the USC hospital after suffering chest pains at a spring practice. At the time, the pains were reportedly related to an illness he had for a couple of weeks.

  The USC medical staff did not clear him to play in 2011, so he sat it out while contending the school doctors were wrong about his condition. In March of 2012 he announced he was entering the draft. USC lawyers, on advice of team doctors, did not allow Armstead even to take part in the team's Pro Day workouts.

  A native of Elk Grove, CA., Armstead took part in a Pro Day at Sacramento State University and, although he performed well, no NFL team took a chance on him either in the draft or even as a rookie free agent.

  Now, following an impressive year in Canada, Armstead is an intriguing young prospect in New England.

  Ready to take on the challenge of his next career opportunity in New England, Armstead looks back fondly on his time in Canada that saw him register 43 tackles and six sacks.

  "It was a great experience living in a different country and getting to experience a different culture and everything. Just having an opportunity to play professionally, even though it was Canadian, I was just excited to have the opportunity," Armstead said. "I feel like I learned a lot, how to be a pro and how to approach your work and everything. I feel like it's going to help me out a lot."

  Armstead said the talent of the competition he faced in Canada varied, as it has at every level he's ever played at. He also joked that nothing has ever compared to what he faced in practice at USC when "practice every day was harder than any game I had in college."

  After being in Foxborough for a few weeks, and with a year of CFL action under his belt, Armstead is clearly a few steps ahead of the draft picks and rookie free agents he's working with this week. But he's also not quite a veteran.

  "I don't know what to consider myself," Armstead answered with a laugh when asked how he fit on the roster of rookie and veteran talent. "I would say I'm a rookie in the NFL, so yeah I'm a rookie."

  For the record, Armstead and Vega are indeed NFL rookies.

  Armstead has prior experience at a variety of spots on the defensive line, working as a tackle, end, sub rusher and even a standup defender.

  "Whatever I can do to get on the field, that's what I'll do," Armstead said, echoing a common sentiment heard this time of year.

  While his position and role in New England is very much uncertain at this point, one thing that is for sure is that Armstead isn't taking anything for granted. Once a guy Pete Carroll himself projected as a future first-round pick, the former Trojan has gone through a lot to get to his first NFL opportunity.

  "I feel like a lot of the experiences I've had the last two or three years have humbled me a lot. It just made me appreciate everything I'm given more and not take stuff for granted," the impressive Armstead said. "Being a highly-recruited player and going to a school like USC, you kind of take for granted the opportunities. You see guys who don't even play go to the NFL. So you take that for granted. You think, 'Oh, I'm going to go to the NFL too.' My experience, what happened to me, definitely made me more hungry and made me more humble.

  "I feel like the experiences I've had, I wouldn't say it's a chip on my shoulder but I don't take anything for granted. I approach work every day and I appreciate everything I'm given a lot more. I'm not angry at anybody, but I just want to show everyone what I can do."

• The Patriots signed 19 rookie free agents May 3 for the opening of the team's rookie minicamp. That list included: P Ryan Allen(Louisiana Tech), FB Ben Bartholomew (Tennessee), DL Dewayne Cherrington (Mississippi State), S Kanorris Davis (Troy), OL Elvis Fisher (Missouri), TE Brandon Ford (Clemson), DL Cory Grissom (South Florida), RB Quentin Hines (Akron), CB Brandon Jones (Rutgers), OL Josh Kline (Kent State), OL Chris McDonald (Michigan State), WR T.J. Moe (Missouri), CB Stephon Morris (Penn State), LB Ian Sluss (Portland State), OL Matt Stankiewitch (Penn State), TE Zach Sudfeld (Nevada), WR Kenbrell Thompkins (Cincinnati), DL Joe Vellano (Maryland) and LS Mike Zupancic (Eastern Michigan).

• Free agent wide receiver Lavelle Hawkins signed a two-year deal with the Patriots, according to The Tennessean.

  Hawkins, who was released last week after five years with the Tennessee Titans, has 71 career receptions for 771 yards and a touchdown in 52 games.

  He played just seven games last season because of an ankle injury, and had five catches for 62 yards. The 26-year-old also has experience on special teams, returning seven kickoffs in 2012.

  With 11 other receivers in New England, Hawkins isn't guaranteed a roster spot with the Patriots.

• Rutgers was well represented at rookie minicamp in New England. In addition to third-round picks CB Logan Ryan and S Duron Harmon and seventh-round pick LB Steve Beauharnais the Patriots added rookie-free agent CB Brandon Jones. The players also join a veteran locker room of Scarlet Knight alums that includes defensive captain and safety Devin McCourty and second-year DL Justin Francis. All played for former Rutgers coach and current Bucs head man Greg Schiano, a longtime friend of Bill Belichick.

  The young players had an immediate support system in place as they transition to the NFL, but know they need to build a dynamic with all the young players in the rookie class.

  "I'm so comfortable with Log, Brandon Jones, Steve Beauharnais. We all know each other," Harmon said. "We have to branch ourselves out to let people know that we're not shutting them out at all but that we're just very close to each other. I'm hoping I can get close to Josh Boyce and (Aaron) Dobson the same way I am with Brandon Jones and Logan Ryan.

  That may be difficult, considering the close ties within the Rutgers group.

  "It is what it is. We're all very close. We're basically like the same people. You could say we are all brothers and we all do the same things," Harmon said. "These are really my brothers. I would do anything for these guys. I love them to death. I love them just like they came out of my own mother's womb."

Quote To Note:

"This isn't an organization you have to be sold on. They've been to five Super Bowls in the last 12 years."

- Rookie free agent WR T.J. Moe on his decision to sign with the Patriots

A closer look at the Patriots' picks:

Round 2/52 - Jamie Collins, DE/OLB, 6-3, 250, Southern Mississippi

After trading down in the first round, New England targeted one of its biggest needs with the versatile, athletic pass rusher Collins with its first selection. Collins played safety, linebacker and defensive end, putting up 10 sacks with his hand in the dirt last fall. His exact role on the New England front is unclear, but he will boost the playmaking potential of the defense.

Round 2/59 - Aaron Dobson, WR, 6-3, 210, Marshall

With the team undergoing nearly a total overhaul at the receiver position, New England added a bigger receiver with impressive hands to Tom Brady's attack. Dobson has decent speed and production that should allow him to compete for playing time immediately this fall.

Round 3/83 - Logan Ryan, CB, 5-11, 191, Rutgers

Bill Belichick has often praised the Rutgers program over the years for producing NFL-ready talent and tapped into that pipeline for a cornerback to add depth to the back end of the Patriots defense. Ryan was a key part of Rutgers' impressive overall defense last fall.

Round 3/91 - Duron Harmon, S, 6-1, 200, Rutgers

Sticking with the Scarlet Knights - where Belichick's son and current Patriots assistant coach Steve Belichick played - New England had a surprising selection of the safety who many had slotted as a late-round or free-agent prospect. Harmon was an All-Big East performer and Belichick praised him for his communication in the secondary.

Round 4/102 - Josh Boyce, WR, 5-11, 206, TCU

Looking to hit pay dirt with a mid-round speed burner, the Patriots targeted Boyce as a potential deep threat on the outside. Though recovering from foot surgery for a Jones fracture, Boyce ran a 4.38 40 and was a big-play machine for the Horned Frogs.

Round 7/226 - Michael Buchanan, DE, 6-5, 255, Illinois

After doubling up at wide receiver early in the draft, New England went for a second defensive end with Buchanan to add a boost to the pass rush. Buchanan had 7.5 sacks in 2011 and was the Illini Defensive Player of the Year last fall with 4.5 as a long, athletic edge presence.

Round 7/235 - Steve Beauharnais, ILB, 6-1, 240, Rutgers

Apparently three's a charm when drafting Rutgers players as the Patriots closed out the draft with another Scarlet Knight. Beauharnais started 26 games over his final two seasons at Rutgers, but projects as a potential backup and special teamer at the next level.

Franchise Player

; None.

Transition Players:

None.

Unrestricted Free Agents

(8)

• CB Will Allen didn't appear to be someone the Patriots would bring back this year, but with CB Alfonzo Dennard possibly facing jail time, his veteran presence might be a necessity.

• S Josh Barrett might have been one of the odd men out in the secondary, but the departure of Patrick Chung might play a role in whether or not the Patriots decide to bring him back.

• WR Deion Branch didn't contribute much in his return to the team and isn't a top priority right now.

• S Derrick Martin would be relatively cheap to re-sign and will probably be retained to provide depth and competition in camp this summer.

• C/G Jamey Richard might not have much of a future in New England unless the Patriots have extra room to stash a semi-valuable player with decent position flexibility.

• DE Trevor Scott proved he can contribute in a limited capacity and will be given a shot to improve on that in camp in 2013.

• WR Donte' Stallworth.

• LB Tracy White is someone who will factor into the mix on special teams, and his versatility will play a role in whether or not the team re-signs him.

Restricted Free Agents:

None.

Exclusive Rights Free Agents:

None.

Draft Choices Signed

• LB Jamie Collins (2/52): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

• CB Logan Ryan (3/83): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

• S Duron Harmon (3/91): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

• LB Steve Beauharnais (7/235): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

Players Re-signed

• CB Kyle Arrington: UFA; $16M/4 yrs, $6.5M SB/$9.5M guaranteed/$7.5M fully guaranteed.

• CB Marquice Cole: UFA; terms unknown.

• WR Julian Edelman: UFA; $765,000/1 yr, $50,000 WO.

• LB Dane Fletcher: Potential RFA; terms unknown.

• TE Michael Hoomanawanui: RFA tendered at 1.323M with fifth-round pick as compensation; terms unknown.

• LB Niko Koutouvides: UFA; terms unknown.

• CB Aqib Talib: UFA; $5M/1 yr.

• T Sebastian Vollmer: UFA; $17M/4 yrs, $8.5M guaranteed.

Players Acquired

• WR Danny Amendola: UFA Rams; $31M/5 yrs, $6M SB/$10M SB.

• DL Armond Armstead: FA; $1.49M/3 years, $655,000 guaranteed.

• RB LeGarrette Blount (trade Buccaneers).

• G Tyronne Green: UFA Chargers; terms unknown.

• WR Lavelle Hawkins: FA Titans; terms unknown.

• WR Michael Jenkins: FA Vikings; terms unknown.

• WR Donald Jones: Not tendered as RFA by Bills; $4.155M/3 yrs, no SB/$435,000 report/RB each year.

• QB Mike Kafka: FA; terms unknown.

• DT Tommy Kelly: FA Raiders; $5M/2 yrs, $1M SB.

• OT Will Svitek: UFA Falcons; 1 yr, terms unknown.

• RB/KR Leon Washington: FA Seahawks; $1.2M/1 yr, $360,000 SB.

• S Adrian Wilson: FA Cardinals; $5M/3 yrs, $1M SB.

Players Lost

• S Patrick Chung: UFA Eagles; $10M/3 yrs, $2.285M SB/$4M guaranteed.

• DE Brandon Deaderick (released).

• RB Jeff Demps (traded Buccaneers).

• FB Tony Fiammetta (released).

• T Kyle Hix (released).

• FB Spencer Larsen (released).

• WR Brandon Lloyd (released).

• DT Kyle Love (released/non-football illness).

• DL Myron Pryor (released).

• G Donald Thomas: UFA Colts; $14M/4 yrs, $1M SB.

• WR Wes Welker: UFA Broncos; $12M/2 yrs, $12M guaranteed/$6M fully guaranteed.

• RB Danny Woodhead: UFA Chargers; $3.5M/2 yrs, $1M SB.