Skip to main content

Patriots' Rob Gronkowski to undergo back surgery Tuesday

Rob Gronkowski will undergo his fifth surgery since mid-November. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)

Rob Gronkowski's arm infection is gone after successful surgery. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski will have back surgery on Tuesday, his fifth surgery since November, 2012, according to multiple reports. There is no clear timetable for Gronkowski to return to the field for the Patriots.

The 24-year-old tight end is expected to have his back surgery by Dr. Robert Watkins, who recently performed back surgery on the New York Giants' Jason Pierre Paul. Gronkowski was experiencing chronic back pain and the Patriots anticipated the fifth surgery for Gronkowski.

Gronkowski underwent his fourth arm surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston on May. An infection from a previous procedure to repair Gronkowski’s broken left forearm had delayed the fourth surgery on his left forearm.

Gronkowski missed five games last season after breaking his left forearm blocking during an extra-point attempt against the Indianapolis Colts. He re-injured his left forearm in the AFC Divisional Playoffs against the Houston Texans.