A Pat-astrophe! Gronk may be done for season
FOXBOROUGH — Rob Gronkowski’s season might be over.
The star Patriots tight end is having surgery for a herniated disk in his back, a person with knowledge of the details tells The Associated Press. The person spoke Thursday on condition of anonymity because the surgery has not yet been announced by the team. The surgery was first reported by the Buffalo News.
He’s likely to be out for eight weeks or more. The Super Bowl is scheduled for Houston on Feb. 5, should the Patriots get that far.
Gronkowski sat out practice Wednesday with what was listed as a back injury. He was absent from practice again on Thursday.
The injury is believed to have occurred during the Patriots’ loss to the Seahawks on Nov. 13, in which Gronkowski said he received “probably one of the hardest I’ve got hit in my career” from safety Earl Thomas.
Gronk sat out the following week against San Francisco. He played part of the first half last week in New England’s win over the New York Jets, but did not make a reception.
Gronkowski has missed three games this season. He has 25 catches for 540 yards and three touchdowns. He’s also dealt with a hamstring injury in 2016.
The 2014 Comeback Player of the Year, Gronkowski’s career has been plagued by injuries. A second-round draft pick in 2010, he has had ankle and knee surgery once, and three operations on his forearm.
He has missed 20 games in his career and played many others while not 100 percent.
CUTLER’S SEASON OVER
Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler will have season-ending surgery on his right shoulder.
Coach John Fox announced that the veteran quarterback will have an operation to repair the labrum in his shoulder. The procedure is scheduled for Saturday.
Cutler injured his shoulder during a loss to the Giants on Nov. 20 but finished the game.
Matt Barkley figures to start his second straight game when the Bears (2-9) host San Francisco (1-10) in a matchup between struggling teams on Sunday.
OFFICIAL INFLUX
Get ready for some full-time NFL officials to start throwing yellow flags next year.
Troy Vincent, the league’s vice president of football operations, told The Associated Press on Thursday that he expects the NFL to hire as many as 17 full-time officials this offseason.
The additions are allowed under the collective bargaining agreement and would increase the size of officiating crews from seven to eight, Vincent said during a visit to Buffalo.
“This is a topic of discussion daily,” he said, noting the league will need to consult with the NFL Referees Association.