The Patriots and Rob Gronkowski's family have confirmed the tight end will undergo surgery on Friday, and is likely finished for the season.
The team and family issued a joint statement on Thursday night confirming multiple reports from earlier in the day.
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"We do not expect that he will be able to play for the remainder of the 2016 season, but will await the results of tomorrow's surgery before making a final determination," the statement read.
The All-Pro tight end will undergo surgery for a herniated disk in his lower back, according to a report Thursday by ESPN's Adam Schefter. Gronkowski has undergone similar back surgeries twice before, in 2009 while in college at the University of Arizona, and in 2013.
The statement further clarified Gronkowski's health issues in recent weeks, which began with a hit by Seahawks safety Earl Thomas on Nov. 13.
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"Rob sustained a hit to the chest that resulted in a pulmonary contusion to his lung. Rob was examined by several specialists at Massachusetts General Hospital as directed by the team, as well as an independent physician," the statement read. "He received medical clearance to return to play two weeks later for the New York Jets game on November 27. After a hit early in the Jets game, Rob began to experience significant back and leg pain. This injury forced him to leave the game and he did not return."
Gronkowski, 27, is a three-time First Team All-Pro. He has 25 receptions for 540 yards and three touchdowns in eight games, and leads the NFL at 21.6 yards per reception.