Patriots TE Hernandez could miss a few weeks
New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez is expected to be out for a few weeks because of an injured right ankle, according to ESPN.com.
There is not an exact time table for Hernandez's return, but a source told ESPN Monday that he will not play this Sunday night at the Baltimore Ravens and perhaps not until October.
Patriots coach Bill Belichick said he did not have an injury update on Hernandez.
The tight end left Gillette Stadium after the game on crutches and wearing a walking boot.
Hernandez sustained the injury when a player fell on him as he went to the ground while blocking on a pass play early in the first quarter of the Patriots 20-18 loss to the Cardinals.
The Patriots, who used at least two tight ends in every play against the Tennessee Titans in the season opener, struggled offensively without Hernandez against Arizona. They failed to reach the end zone until Rob Gronkowski caught a 5-yard touchdown pass from Tom Brady with 2:06 left in the game.
Without Hernandez, New England used two tight ends on just 20 of 77 offensive plays.
"He's part of the game plan the whole week, obviously," Gronkowski said. "He's a great player. You just gotta be prepared though -- any time, any situation for anything. We gotta be more prepared and be able to go out and do the offense."
Hernandez had six catches for 59 yards with a touchdown against the Titans in the first game of the season. He had 79 catches for 910 yards with seven TDs last year. He signed a five-year, $40 million contract extension in August.
