Rob Gronkowski Will Have Back Surgery in Mid-June; Week 1 Status Remains Unknown
By Josh Hill
The Return of the Gronk will have to wait a little longer as New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is scheduled to have back surgery in mid-June, a procedure that could cause him to miss the start of the 2013 season.
Per source, Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski will need back surgery. Tentatively set for mid-June. He'll likely miss at least part of camp.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) May 29, 2013
Rob Gronkowski dominated the receiving world in 2011, bursting onto the scene in the Year of the Gronk. He single handedly ushered in the era of the tight end in the way Nirvana ushered in the era of grunge. Sure, there had been tight ends built like Gronkowski slowly having success in the league but his outstanding season changed the way the NFL values tight ends.
But his 2012 season was marred by injury and it also saw him rush back from his broken arm to soon. After 4 surgeries on his arm, Gronkowski looked like he was finally on pace to return in time for Week 1 but the back surgery he’s undergoing will no doubt throw that off course. Having back surgery doesn’t mean he won’t be able to play Week 1, but it’s worth noting that Gronkowski missed an entire year of college football with a similar injury and that’s not out of the question here.
Inly time will tell when Gronkowski is ready to return, but after the rash of surgeries he’s had following complications with his arm, don’t be shocked to see the Patriots hold him out and avoid rushing him back the first week of the season.