FOXBORO, Mass. — New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski had back surgery on Tuesday, his fourth operation this year.
The latest surgery was performed by Dr. Robert Watkins and was successful, said Drew Rosenhaus, Gronkowski’s agent.
On May 20, the Patriots star had the most recent operation on the left forearm he broke Nov. 18 while blocking for an extra point in a 59-24 win over the Indianapolis Colts. He had an operation soon after, the first of four on his forearm.
He broke the arm again in the Patriots’ first playoff game, a 41-28 win over the Houston Texans on Jan. 13, and has had three forearm operations since then. Rosenhaus said the surgery performed last month was expected to be the last on his forearm.
The Patriots open training camp in late July and start the regular season Sept. 8 at Buffalo.
In 43 NFL games, Gronkowski has scored 39 touchdowns — 38 on passes and one on a run.
Drafted in the second round out of Arizona in 2010, he was chosen for the Pro Bowl in 2011. In that season, he set NFL records for tight ends with 17 touchdown catches, 18 total touchdowns and 1,327 yards receiving.
In 11 games last season, Gronkowski had 55 catches for 790 yards and 11 touchdowns. He missed five regular-season games with forearm and hip injuries as well as the AFC Championship Game, a 28-13 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, after he re-broke his forearm.
