New England TE Rob Gronkowski to undergo back surgery next month

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is headed back under the knife, but this time not for the left forearm injury that has been operated on four times in the last six months.

Gronkowski will have back surgery on a herniated disk in mid-June, multiple sources are reporting. The two-time Pro Bowler could be back in time for the start of training camp at the end of July.

His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said Thursday that the injury is not serious, just a “lingering� back problem, and it’s not the same disk that caused Gronkowski to miss the entire 2009 season with the University of Arizona.

“It’s not a serious back surgery,� Rosenhaus told WQAM 560-AM in South Florida. “This is a new injury, and it’s minor, it’s not as significant. … I don’t think it’s a big deal, I think it’s more preventative maintenance than anything else. It’s something that, although he needs it, he’s had it for awhile and he’s been able to function.�

Rosenhaus added that the procedure is being timed so that its recovery time coincides with that of Gronkowski’s most recent arm surgery last week.

“The recovery will be very comparable to the amount of time he would’ve missed for the arm surgery, so why not get it done now so that when he is healthy, he’s 100% and he doesn’t have to address the back down the road?� Rosenhaus said. “The bottom line is Rob had a successful forearm operation last Monday. I was there in Boston with him, everything went very well, and he’s doing so well now that he can afford to get back surgery.�

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