NFL

"Robert is doing extremely well as far as the timetable," said RG2. "He's been doing a lot overtime, he never stops. He was throwing some prior to the draft. Everything seems to be on cue. Everybody in the organization is targeting that season opener." RG3 tore his right ACL at Baylor four years ago. "He might be a little ahead of himself in terms of doing what he did then compared to now," RG2 said. "He's smarter, stronger, wiser."

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.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport heard Gronkowski is battling "chronic back pain," necessitating the MRI. It's worth remembering Gronkowski missed the entire 2009 season at Arizona after surgery to repair a herniated disc in his back. A first-round talent, Gronk slipped to the 42nd pick amid rumors he had spinal stenosis. USA Today's Mike Garafolo reports Gronkowski's back became an issue again "dating back to last season," though it concerns a "different disc" than the one Gronk had surgically repaired in college. A decision on whether further surgery will be required has "not yet been made." Gronkowski is already scheduled for a fourth arm surgery on Monday. He'll seek an opinion on the back from Dr. Robert Watkins "in the near future." Per NFL Network's Albert Breer, the back surgery "looks likely."

A fourth surgery is inevitable and expected to take place Monday. A fifth surgery would jeopardize Gronkowski's Week 1 availability. Dr. James Andrews will be a consultant during next week's surgery. The PFT report is more optimistic and confident about the clearance of Gronkowski's infection than recent stories from NFL Network. If Gronkowski's infection is gone, he'll be worth consideration beginning late in the first round of fantasy drafts.

Gronk will have his arm reexamined on Monday. Doctors plan to perform a fourth surgery to remove a plate from the arm. If the infection has not cleared, surgery No. 5 would be required and Gronkowski would almost certainly miss football games. While Gronk is lucky these problems have occurred during the offseason as opposed to the regular season, he's not out of the woods just yet.

"I'm full go. I'm 100 percent," said Chapman, referring to his status for OTAs. "I'll be right out there with them." Chapman wound up a "redshirt" player in 2012. He'll enter 2013 with a good chance to start at nose tackle in Chuck Pagano's 3-4 defense, upgrading on Antonio Johnson. Chapman was arguably the premier pure run stopper in college football two seasons ago. He's already been nicknamed "Thug in the Trenches, TNT" by veteran Robert Mathis.

"Time will tell," said Whaley. "He does have the work ethic and the leadership qualities that he'll have a chance. But we believe competition brings out the best in everybody. Between him, Kevin Kolb, Tarvaris Jackson, even Jeff Tuel, we're excited to see who comes out on top of that position battle." In all likelihood, Manuel would have to fall flat on his face to not start Week 1.