USA Today: Gronkowski May Need Back Surgery
BOSTON (CBS) - If news of Rob Gronkowski's fourth surgery on his broken left forearm wasn't enough to worry New England Patriots fans, he may also need to go under the knife for a lingering back ailment.
According to USA Today, Gronkowski recently underwent an MRI on his back to check a disc issues from last season that has recently flared up again, which may require surgery.
Gronkowski had a disc in his back shaved down in 2009, but this issue is reportedly with a different disc. A final decision on surgery has not been made, though USA Today reports the Patriots tight end will see spine specialist Robert Watkins after he undergoes another surgery on his forearm next week.
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USA Today's source, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, said if surgery is required on Gronk's back, the hopes are his recovery period would coincide with the recovery of his arm. That is expected to take roughly 10 weeks, bringing Gronkowski right up to the start of Patriots training camp.
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The Patriots drafted Gronkowski in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft, and many feel his draft stock took a hit after a series of back ailments plagued his college days at Arizona.
