The Facts: Following up on the ongoing story. ... Just as the news was getting better on Gronkowski’s arm, there's word his back is once again acting up and could require surgery as well. The tight end recently underwent an MRI on his back to check on a disc issue he had dating back to last season, a person informed of Gronkowski's medical status told USA TODAY Sports.

Diehards Line:The person told USA TODAY's Mike Garafolo the issue is with a different disc than the one that needed to be shaved down in via surgery 2009 and that a final decision on whether surgery will be required has not yet been made. The person also told Garafolo that Gronkowski will see noted spine specialist Robert Watkins in the near future, after next week's surgery to install a new plate into his forearm. According to Garafolo, the hope is, if surgery on his back is required, Gronkowski will be back within the same 10-11 week time frame as his recovery from the arm injury, which he initially suffered in November but has been prolonged because of an infection in the limb. ... Stay tuned.