Gronkowski will undergo back surgery, to miss eight weeks

The New England Patriots are going to be without one of their best players, tight end Rob Gronkowski, for the rest of the season and most of the postseason.

As first reported by Vic Carucci of The Buffalo News and SiriusXM NFL Radio, Gronkowski is scheduled to undergo back surgery in Los Angeles and expected to be out for eight weeks.

Ruptured disk vs. the Seahawks

According to NFL sources, Gronk will have the procedure in Los Angeles.

Gronkowski suffered a ruptured disk and a punctured lung from a hit by Seattle safety Earl Thomas during the Patriots’ Nov. 13 loss against the Seahawks.

This will be his third back surgery since college

Gronkowski had back issues throughout his career at the University of Arizona. This will be his third back surgery since college.

Gronkowski, who also has had operations on his ankle and arm, missed the first two games of the season with a hamstring injury. He was sidelined for the Patriots’ Week 11 victory against San Francisco with a chest injury.

He apparently aggravated his back injury on the Patriots’ third drive of their win against the New York Jets Sunday.