The New England Patriots might very well be without stud tight end Rob Gronkowski for the remainder of the season. According to multiple media reports, the Pro Bowler will undergo surgery to repair a herniated disc in his back on Friday and has no timetable for return. 

Initial reports indicate that Gronkowski will be out at least eight weeks. If that's the case, the earliest he might return is in time for a potential AFC Championship game. 

From a fantasy perspective, you don't need to be a genius to realize this is some rather troubling news. Gronkowski was the only tight end relied on as a Round 1 pick in terms of preseason ADP. If you're without him on your roster moving forward, it will surely impact your ability to make the playoffs and earn a championship trophy. That's the bad news. 

The good news here is that New England has a capable backup tight end in Martellus Bennett that performed well with Gronkowski injured earlier in the season. Despite being targeted just 54 times this season, Bennett enters Week 13 as the sixth-best fantasy tight ends in the NFL. 

Bennett has put up 42 receptions for 540 yards in 11 games this season. He's also tallied multiple top-five fantasy tight end performances thus far on the year. 

With Gronkowski now out of action for the remainder of the regular season, Dion Lewis also becomes someone to keep an eye on, especially in PPR-heavy formats. The veteran running back has put up seven receptions in two games since returning from injury himself. Remember, Lewis tallied 36 catches in seven games last season before tearing his ACL.