Reports: Rob Gronkowski Out Eight Weeks for Back Surgery, Sky Falling
Photo via AP
Patriots tight-end Rob Gronkowski will be out eight weeks following back surgery to repair a ruptured disc, according to reports.
Buffalo News beat writer Vic Carucci broke the news that Gronkowski suffered the injury during the Pats’ 31-24 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, and will undergo surgery in Los Angeles. Gronkowski played just seven snaps against the New York Jets this Sunday.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the injury is worse than originally thought.
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
#Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski will have back surgery (as @viccarucci mentioned). Injury is worse than anticipated. It’s happening tomorrow.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 1, 2016
Rob Gronkowski's back injury worse than thought. He is getting surgery tomorrow, per source. No time frame on possible return.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 1, 2016
As some were quick to note, Gronkowski’s reported injury seems to keep in line with the so-called “Madden Curse“—that is, injuries befalling players featured on the cover of the wildly successful Madden video game series. Gronkowski appeared on the cover of the 2017 edition.
It strikes again pic.twitter.com/hLiwL6LLXR
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) December 1, 2016
The estimated recovery time for Gronk’s injury is eight weeks, squarely between the AFC Championship Game seven weeks away, and Super Bowl LI, which is nine weeks away.
