New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski reportedly needs back surgery.
As Vic Carucci of The Buffalo News first reported, Gronkowski suffered a ruptured disk when he was hit in a game against the Seattle Seahawks earlier this year, and his injury is worse than initially believed. He is expected to miss up to eight weeks.
Hearing from #NFL sources that #Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski could be undergoing back surgery.
— Vic Carucci (@viccarucci) December 1, 2016
More on Gronk from #NFL sources: Suffered a ruptured disk vs. #Seahawks, surgery in L.A. Expected to be out eight weeks.
— Vic Carucci (@viccarucci) December 1, 2016
That would almost certainly keep Gronkowski out for the remainder of the season, which is horrible news for the Patriots.
Gronkowski missed one game after taking this vicious hit from Seahawks safety Earl Thomas, and initial reports indicated he suffered a punctured lung that was not serious. The Pro Bowler played last weekend against the New York Jets but left the game early with a back issue.
Another back surgery for Gronk would be his third such procedure since he was in college at Arizona back in 2009.
