Biggs: Spitz to have back surgery

Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Jason Spitz, who was placed on season-ending injured reserve on Saturday, will undergo surgery this week to repair a herniated disc in his back, a source said.

Spitz had been sidelined since the middle of last month with back spasms. When the situation didn’t clear up, he sought a second medical opinion, and it was confirmed that surgery would be the best route. He’s expected to make a full recovery in a span of about two months and be cleared for a return well in advance of the start of the offseason program.

The timing couldn’t be worse for the young lineman, a third-round draft pick from Louisville in 2006. Spitz, who turns 27 next month, had established himself as a building block for the future on the Packers’ line. He is in the final year of his rookie contract and had 41 career starts over the course of his first three seasons. Spitz will be an unrestricted free agent if the owners and players can collaborate on a CBA extension. Otherwise, Spitz will be a restricted free agent and the Packers could tender him a one-year offer. That would give him a chance to show he’s healthy and worthy of a longterm investment.

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