The Patriots and the family of Rob Gronkowski confirmed in a statement Thursday that the tight end will undergo back surgery Friday. The hope earlier Thursday was that Gronkowski would return during the playoffs, but that’s now in doubt. “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,” said the two parties (Twitter link).
More from around the NFL:
- The Cowboys expect second-year guard La’el Collins back in late December or in time for the playoffs, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). Collins has been on injured reserve since tearing a ligament in his right big toe in Week 3. Replacement Ronald Leary has been excellent as a fill-in, with Pro Football Focus ranking him 16th out of 80 qualifying guards this year.
- If Michigan linebacker Jabrill Peppers goes the expected route and enters next year’s draft, he’ll be a top-10 pick, two NFL teams told Matt Miller of Bleacher Report (video link). Peppers would likely line up at safety in the pros, says Miller, who likens his playing style to that of Giants star Landon Collins.
- Both Missouri junior defensive end Charles Harris and Akron junior wide receiver Jerome Lane Jr. will enter the draft (links via Chase Goodbread of NFL.com and Zac Jackson of Pro Football Talk). Harris, who has amassed 30.5 tackles for loss and 16 sacks since 2015, has a first-round projection from NFLDraftScout.com. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Lane is a former linebacker who registered 62 catches, 1,018 yards and six touchdowns in 2016.
- The NFL is reportedly progressing toward introducing a developmental league, but Saints head coach Sean Payton is against the idea. “I’m not in favor of the developmental league. I think you’re going to see an increased number of practice squad players,” he told Nick Underhill of The Advocate (Twitter link).
- The Lions worked out linebacker Myke Tavarres on Thursday, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press tweets. The undrafted free agent from Incarnate Word has been out of work since failing to make the Eagles’ final roster Sept. 3.
Zach Links contributed to this post.
Developmental league will eventually happen because of $$$$
I’ve been I favor of a developmental league for some time. It’ll work with the NFL backing, and it should give us football-junkies something to watch during the OVER-extended NBA, and MLB. …besides Hockey
Something to watch?? Be as interesting as the XFL.
All is excited for Game 1. Then everyone loses interest and we all stop watching.
Exactly what it is.
There to develop! Not to entertain.
You’re probably right; but I’ll take my chances with some NFL backed football. all the other major sports have a developmental league. I’ve watched the San Antonio Missions in person…a few times It the Spurs D League were in S.A. rather than Austin, I’d go watch them some…not too much. I’ve seen the San Antonio Rampage before they were called the Rampage once or twice, (don’t know Hockey strategically). I’ll certainly watch more football. I wish I knew when CFL was playing and when on t.v. down here.