Rob Gronkowski Will Reportedly Undergo Back Surgery
BOSTON (CBS) – Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski will reportedly undergo back surgery this week and is expected to miss significant time as a result.
Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News first reported that Gronkowski suffered a ruptured disk against the Seahawks.
The Boston Herald's Jeff Howe later reported that Gronk's back injury occurred last week against the New York Jets.
Multiple reports have since surfaced that Gronkowski is expected to have surgery on Friday and could miss about two months. Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reported that Gronkowski's surgery will be for a herniated disk.
If Gronkowski were to miss two months, he could potentially return to the field in time to help the Patriots should they make a deep postseason run. The AFC Championship Game is scheduled for January 22 while the Super Bowl will take place on February 5.
Gronkowski played Sunday against the Jets a week after he suffered the injury, but left the game and did not return.
Howe reported that the Patriots did not believe Gronkowski's injury was serious at first, but soon learned the extent of the damage.
Gronkowski has missed 21 games due to injuries over his seven-year NFL career (including the playoffs), with New England going 15-6 in those games.
