Rob Gronkowski To Have Back Surgery For Herniated Disc

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski will undergo back surgery on Friday for a herniated disc, and is expected to be out several weeks, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported.

Rob Gronkowski To Have Back Surgery For Herniated Disc

The Buffalo News’ Vic Carucci first reported the news.

Gronkowski took a big hit two weeks ago from Seattle Seahawks safety Earl Thomas, suffering a perforated lung in the process. He also left last week’s victory over the New York Jets with a back injury late in the first quarter.

There is no timeframe for his return, although ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Gronkowski could miss up to two months.

This will be the 27-year-old tight end’s third back surgery. His two previous surgeries came in 2009 when he was at the University of Arizona, (he missed the entire season then) and then in 2013, during his fourth season with the Patriots.

Gronkowski and quarterback Tom Brady were not present for practice on Wednesday. Brady, who is listed as having a knee injury, returned to the field Thursday. Gronkowski has already missed 18 games (not including playoffs) in his career due to injury.

In his 86 games with Gronkowski, Brady has a 104.5 passer rating with a 65.5 completion percentage. Brady’s numbers dip to 84.4 and 57.5 percent without Gronk.

The seventh-year tight end’s rare mix of size and athletic prowess make him a nightmare for linebacker, safeties or cornerbacks in coverage. Since joining the NFL, Gronkowski leads the league in touchdown receptions with 68. Earlier this year, he set the Patriots’ all-time TD record with 69.

The Pats used their injured reserve/return designation on quarterback Jacoby Brissett on Wednesday, so the team wouldn’t be able to place Gronk on injured reserve and activate him if they make a deep playoff run. Each team is allowed to designate only one player to return.

Gronkowski has 25 catches for 540 yards and three touchdowns in eight games this season.

In his absence, Martellus Bennett is the logical expected replacement, although he’s also dealing with ankle and shoulder injuries. Brady will also rely on improving rookie Malcolm Mitchell– a receiver with hand the quarterback compared to Gronk’s earlier this year. Backfield receivers Dion Lewis and James White could also now play greater roles as Josh McDaniels attempts to diversify his offense.

The Patriots (9-2), who lead the AFC East, will next host the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.

DENVER, CO – JANUARY 24: Tight end Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots after a reception during the AFC Championship game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on January 24, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Patriots 20-18. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)