TE Aaron Hernandez inactive for Patriots again with ankle injury

Aaron Hernandez missed some practice last week because of the birth of his baby, but the Patriots tight end will miss another game as a result of the ankle injury that has plagued him all season.

CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason La Canfora reports that Hernandez will be inactive for the Patriots' game on Sunday against Buffalo with an ankle injury.

It has been a long road back to playing for Hernandez, who injured his ankle in Week 2 against the Cardinals. Hernandez missed the next three games after being ruled inactive, returned for the matchup against the Seahawks in Week 6 and the Jets in Week 7, totaling 11 catches for 84 yards and a touchdown.

But the ankle hasn't progressed the way he and the Patriots wanted, and Hernandez missed Week 8's blowout win over the Rams in London. After the bye, it looked like he might be ready for a big -- and, more importantly -- healthy second half, but that's clearly not the case.

Tom Brady will instead have to lean, once again, on Rob Gronkowski in the passing game, although Visanthe Shiancoe, who was activated from the designated-to-return injury list on Saturday, will also be able to help.

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