NFL notes: Patriots' Rob Gronkowski to have back surgery, likely out for year

Rob Gronkowski's season is probably over.

The star Patriots tight end is having surgery for a herniated disk in his back, a person with knowledge of the details told the Associated Press. The person spoke Thursday on condition of anonymity because the surgery has not yet been announced by the team. The surgery was first reported by the Buffalo News.

He's likely to be out for eight weeks or more. The Super Bowl is scheduled for Houston on Feb. 5, should the Patriots get that far.

Gronkowski sat out practice Wednesday with what was listed as a back injury and missed practice again Thursday.

Gronkowski has missed three games this season. He has 25 catches for 540 yards and three touchdowns.

Jay Cutler's season is over, and his time in Chicago might be, too.

Coach John Fox announced that the veteran quarterback will have season-ending surgery on his right shoulder, the latest blow in a lost year for the Bears. The operation to repair the labrum will take place Saturday. Matt Barkley probably will start his second consecutive game Sunday against the 49ers.

"You know, offseason is the offseason," Fox said. "We're not there yet."

Get ready for some full-time NFL officials to start throwing yellow flags next year.

Troy Vincent, the league's vice president of football operations, told the Associated Press he expects the NFL to hire as many as 17 full-time officials this offseason.

The additions are allowed under the collective bargaining agreement and would increase the size of officiating crews from seven to eight, Vincent said during a visit to Buffalo.

"This is a topic of discussion daily," he said, noting the league will need to consult with the NFL Referees Association.

Currently, NFL officiating crews are part-time staff and hold jobs outside of football.

Vincent said full-time officials would allow the NFL to spend more time on training and consultation on a year-round basis.

• Bills receiver Sammy Watkins returned to practice but is still dealing with a broken bone in his left foot. Watkins has been out for two months.

• Chiefs defensive lineman Jaye Howard was put on injured reserve because of a hip injury.

• Redskins tight end Jordan Reed has been unable to practice for the past two days and looks increasingly unlikely to play Sunday at Arizona.