The Madden Curse Strikes Again, as Rob Gronkowski Sidelined With Injury

The so-called Madden Curse strikes again, as Madden NFL 17 cover star Rob Gronkowski of the New England Patriots could be done for the season due to a back injury.

The Patriots announced today that No. 87 will undergo surgery in Los Angeles tomorrow, December 2, for a ruptured disc. He could need eight weeks of recovery before resuming football activities, so it's possible he's done for the year.

"I don't believe in the curse," the pro football player told Esquire earlier this year. "I've never really believed in that type of stuff. And Odell [Beckham] last year, with the year he had. Calvin Johnson beat the receiving record when he was on the cover. Richard Sherman went to the Pro Bowl the year he was on it. So I believe all that's in the way past. Now it's future time."

Real or not, the Madden Curse was eerily consistent years ago. In 2009, Madden NFL 10 co-cover star Troy Polamalu suffered a knee injury in the second quarter of the season opener. After a string of injuries, 2007 cover star Shaun Alexander went from the NFL's Most Valuable Player to being a backup running back in just two years.

The list goes on: Madden NFL 06 cover athlete Donovan McNabb suffered a season-ending hernia halfway through the year. Finally, 2004 cover athlete Michael Vick missed most of the subsequent season due to a major leg injury.

The Patriots have another star tight end in the form of Martellus Bennett, but whether or not he can step in to fill Gronkowski's role remains to be seen. The first-place Patriots play the LA Rams on Sunday.