Soon after the Green Bay Packers released Desmond Bishop, the seventh-year veteran linebacker was telling about his next step

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski underwent back surgery on Tuesday, his fourth operation this year.

The latest surgery was performed by Dr. Robert Watkins and was successful, said Drew Rosenhaus, Gronkowski's agent.

On May 20, the Patriots star had the most recent operation on the left forearm that he broke on Nov. 18 while blocking for an extra point in a 59-24 win over the Indianapolis Colts. He had an operation soon after, the first of four on his forearm.

He broke it again in the Patriots' first playoff game, a 41-28 win over the Houston Texans on Jan. 13, and has had three forearm operations since then. Rosenhaus said the surgery performed last month was expected to be the last on his forearm.

The Patriots open training camp in late July and start the regular season on Sept. 8 at Buffalo.

In 43 NFL games, Gronkowski has scored 39 touchdowns, 38 on passes and one on a run.

Drafted in the second round out of Arizona in 2010, he was chosen for the Pro Bowl in 2011. In that season, he set NFL records for tight ends with 17 touchdown catches, 18 total touchdowns and 1,327 yards receiving.

In 11 games last season, Gronkowski had 55 catches for 790 yards and 11 touchdowns. He missed five regular-season games with forearm and hip injuries and the AFC championship game, a 28-13 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, after he re-broke his forearm.

Soon after the Green Bay Packers released Desmond Bishop, the seventh-year veteran linebacker was telling Wisconsin reporters about his next step.

Bishop said he's visiting the Minnesota Vikings, the natural move for so many former Packers players looking for a new team and an opportunity to prove their ex-employer wrong.

Vikings coach Leslie Frazier declined after minicamp practice Tuesday to confirm that Bishop was visiting with the team, but Bishop told several media outlets Monday he planned to speak with the Vikings in Minnesota.

``I wouldn't want to verify any reports,'' Frazier said, adding: ``We'll be bringing in guys to work out all the time. At whatever position we bring guys in, it's usually not a reflection of that position. It is just ongoing. We're always trying to have a database and do whatever we can to help our football team.''

Bishop became a starter at inside linebacker for the Packers in 2010, his breakout season. He didn't play at all last year after tearing his hamstring in a preseason game. Bishop thrived once the Packers switched to a 3-4 defense, and the Vikings use a 4-3 scheme, meaning more pass-coverage responsibilities for their middle linebacker.

But their current starter at that critical position is Erin Henderson, who has played the weak-side spot the last two years. Moving Henderson to the middle would leave either rookie Gerald Hodges, a fourth-round draft pick from Penn State, or career backup Marvin Mitchell as unproven starters at Henderson's previous position.

``I'm playing the `Mike,''' Henderson said flatly, when asked if he's set on being the middle linebacker.

Pressed further about his feelings on the Bishop situation after practice Tuesday, Henderson said, ``That's a lot of ifs. I don't really want to think about it that way. I have a chance to play `Mike' now. I don't see why I would let it slip out of my hands or let it go any other way.''

Speaking generally about the possibility of signing Bishop, Henderson said, ``It's cool. I hope it goes well for him, that the Vikings like what they see, welcome him with open arms, welcome him to the team. Not really sure what it's about. I'm just employee No. 50, baby. I just come out here and do what they ask me to do on the field.''

Henderson said his comfort at the middle position has grown daily this offseason. Frazier agreed.

``He's shown more command of the defensive huddle than we expected early on. You can see that he has a lot of control, and the guys really respect everything that he's trying to get done,'' the coach said.

Chad Greenway, the unquestioned leader of the group and the long-time starter on the weak side, said he'd have no problem making room for Bishop in the lineup.

``You have to welcome guys like that with open arms. He's a very talented player. He's proven that in his career. If that's the direction of the organization, that's the direction we go as a locker room,'' Greenway said.

 

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