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Spikes "wasn't seen much" in the early-offseason conditioning phase, and he's not at voluntary OTAs, either. Spikes is entering a contract year, and may be attempting to increase his leverage by staying away from workouts. That usually doesn't work. Expect Spikes to be at the facility on day one of training camp.

They won't know for sure until they study samples taken during Gronkowski's Monday operation. If the samples confirm Gronk is infection-free, doctors will replace the metal plate in his arm. If everything goes to plan ' a big if at this point ' Gronk will then undergo "minor" back surgery in 3-4 weeks. Considering Gronk's recent health history, he should be considered highly questionable for Week 1.

Dr. Jesse Jupiter is expected to perform the procedure, with Patriots team Dr. Thomas Gill on hand. The surgeons will take "cultures" from Gronk's arm. If the cultures come back infection-free, a new plate will replace the one already in Gronkowski's arm and he'll begin a 10-11 week recovery timetable. If the cultures show Gronk's infection has lingered, "it's back to square one" and Gronkowski will likely miss regular season games.

It's an interesting strategy for a player going into the final year of his rookie contract, but there have been no reports Spikes is planning to skip this week's "voluntary" OTAs. Going on 26, Spikes is coming off his strongest campaign. He started 14 games last season, grading out as Pro Football Focus' No. 9 inside linebacker. Spikes offers little on passing downs, but could put himself in position for a nice payday with a similarly strong 2013.

There are about 16 weeks left before Week 1. Profootballtalk has reported the back surgery will occur roughly 3-4 weeks following Gronkowski's Monday arm procedure, putting a tentative return timetable at 2-3 weeks before the season, assuming all healing proceeds without setbacks. At this point, we can't expect Gronkowski to participate at all in the preseason, but he still has a shot to be ready for Opening Day. The Pats open Sunday, September 8 at Buffalo.

It's confirmation of NFL Network's previous report that the surgery "looks likely." Per PFT, the back surgery will take place in 3-4 weeks following Monday's surgery on Gronkowski's forearm. Doctors don't want to schedule the two surgeries too close together. Although the back surgery is considered "minor" in comparison to the operation that cost him the entire 2009 college season, Gronkowski's Week 1 availability is now very much in doubt.

The back surgery is considered "likely," per NFL Net's Albert Breer, but Schefter reports the operation would take place within the timeframe of Gronk's absence due to a fourth arm procedure. "He is going to be fine long term," said a source close to Gronkowski. "(He is) not worried about the short term, i.e. start of training camp." Either way, multiple offseason surgeries on multiple body parts are cause for major fantasy football alarm. And the fact that Gronkowski is in line to have had two back surgeries since 2009 is absolutely a long-term worry.