USA Today reports Rob Gronkowski recently underwent an MRI to check a disc issue in his back and "could require surgery."

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport heard Gronkowski is battling "chronic back pain," necessitating the MRI. It's worth remembering Gronkowski missed the entire 2009 season at Arizona after undergoing surgery to repair a herniated disc in his back. A first-round talent, Gronk slipped to the 42nd overall pick amid rumors he had spinal stenosis. USA Today's Mike Garafolo reports Gronkowski's back became an issue again "dating back to last season," though it concerns a "different disc" than the one Gronk had surgically repaired in college. A decision on whether further surgery will be required has "not yet been made." Gronkowski is already scheduled for a fourth arm surgery on Monday. He'll seek an opinion on the back from Dr. Robert Watkins "in the near future."

NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reports Rob Gronkowski's fourth forearm surgery is "imminent."

Rapoport adds that the plan is for Gronkowski to go under the knife on Monday, and that's when doctors will know if the infection has been taken care of. Gronk was always going to need a fourth surgery to replace the plate in his arm; the key is to avoid a fifth. If there are no signs of the infection, the Patriots expect the 24-year-old to be ready for training camp.

A source tells the Boston Herald that Rob Gronkowski will indeed need a fourth operation on his forearm.

The fourth procedure will be to remove the plate that's securing the broken bone in Gronk's troublesome left forearm. If the following tests show that the infection has been completely flushed out, then a new plate will be put in and the recovery will begin. In that scenario, Gronk will almost certainly be ready for Week 1. The concern is that if there are still signs of the infection, he'll need a fifth surgery. In that case, the Herald says Gronkowski's "participation for the start of the season and perhaps beyond would be in jeopardy."