Patriots’ Rob Gronkowski To Undergoe Back Surgery; Set To Miss Training Camp

The New England Patriots have been one of the best teams in the NFL year after year and over the past decade. Tom Brady and Bill Belichick have proved to be a dynamic duo over the years resulting in five Super Bowl appearances and three titles to their credit. Although the Patriots are favored in Las Vegas odds to do damage in the AFC every single year, next season may turn out to be quite a struggle.

As if the loss of perennial Pro Bowl wide receiver Wes Welker to the Denver Broncos in free agency was a big enough blow to the potent offense of the Patriots, the bleeding didn’t stop there. All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski suffered a broken arm in Week 11 of the 2012 NFL season resulting in required surgery to repair the arm.

Fortunately for New England, Gronkowski returned to the lineup in the regular-season finale against the division rival Miami Dolphins and appeared to be back to form. Despite Gronkowski appearing to be healthy, the team suffered a major blow in the first playoff game against the Houston Texans.

On a normal play for Gronkowski, the perennial Pro Bowler headed to the sidelines for a diving catch. The catch resulted in Gronkowski hit the ground hard and breaking his forearm once again. Another surgery was required along with two others to get rid of an infection.

The damage didn’t stop there for Gronkowski with arguably the league’s best tight end now needing another surgery, but this time it will be on his back. Gronkowski will undergo the procedure on his back in June and will likely miss training camp as a result of the rehab needed.

This isn’t the first time Gronkowski has had back surgery as he had a similar procedure during his time with the Arizona Wildcats.