Tom Brady, the Patriots star quarterback, is expected to have surgery on his right foot, according to press reports released on Thursday.

The procedure, to repair a stress fracture, is expected to take place at Massachusetts General Hospital and will be performed by a Patriots team doctor.

In consequence Brady will now drop out of the Pro Bowl in Hawaii, where he’ll be replaced by the Kansas City Chiefs’ Matt Cassel.

Brady's injury occurred when Patriots tackled the Pittsburgh Steelers in mid-November, but until now it has never been publicly discussed, with even his closest teammates in the dark concerning the extent of his injury. Since the incident Brady has not missed a game however, athough he often missed Wednesday practices.

This will be Brady's fit surgery since he began his professional career in 2000. If the surgery is successful, it's anticipated that Brady will quickly be ready for training camp.