New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is scheduled to undergo back surgery on Tuesday, NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reported on Friday, citing a source informed of the procedure.
Dr. Robert Watkins, who performed Gronkowski's previous back surgery (and one on New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul last week), is handling the procedure at his clinic in Marina del Rey, Calif.
NFL.com's Albert Breer first reported late last month that Gronkowski would be having the surgery at some point in mid-June. Breer said it was unlikely Gronkowski would be back for training camp, and that even a return for Week 1 was no sure thing.
The former University of Arizona star had a microdiscectomy procedure in college in 2009, but that was to a different disc.
It's the latest injury concern for the man voted No. 25 on "The Top 100 Players of 2013." Gronkowski also has had multiple operations this past year on a broken forearm.