A mere possibility quickly has become a probability.
Per a source with knowledge of the situation, Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski “probably” will need back surgery. He currently is waiting for a second opinion from Dr. Robert Watkins.
The back surgery, if it occurs, is expected to happen within three-to-four weeks after the upcoming surgery on his forearm, which currently is set for Monday.
The timetable could hinge on whether the infection is indeed gone from Gronkowski’s forearm. If it is, he’ll need only one more surgery (the fourth) on his arm, and then the back surgery would be able to proceed.
If the infection is still there (doctors currently believe it isn’t), a fifth surgery on the arm may be needed. Which could delay the back surgery.
Gronkowski was available in the second round of the 2010 draft due to a back problem that caused him to miss all of the 2009 college football season.