Patriots insider Mike Reiss hears that TE Aaron Hernandez "can expect about a four-month recovery period" from his shoulder surgery.  Reiss adds that it's possible Hernandez starts training camp on the PUP list.  That contradicts a report last week that called the procedure a "minor scope" and said Hernandez might be ready in time for June minicamp.  We're not expecting to get a concrete timetable from the Pats.  Reiss at least says Hernandez will be ready for the start of the regular season, "barring any unexpected setbacks."  We'll continue to keep a close eye on his recovery.  For now, we'd still feel comfortable targeting Hernandez in the 6th or 7th round of fantasy drafts.

Patriots insider Greg Bedard hears from a league source that TE Aaron Hernandez's shoulder surgery was a "minor scope."  The procedure took place about 2 weeks ago.  Hernandez is fully expected to be ready for training camp and may even get on the field for June minicamp.  He's currently rehabbing in California.  It doesn't sound like the shoulder will be an issue this season, although we can never be sure with the Patriots.  If nothing else, Hernandez seems like a safer bet to be ready for Week 1 than teammate Rob Gronkowski.  Ultimately, though, we expect both guys to be ready to go.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport has learned that Patriots TE Aaron Hernandez underwent shoulder surgery this offseason.  No details on the extent of the injury, when it occurred or when he went under the knife.  Hernandez is expected to miss OTAs and minicamp, but the "likelihood" is that he'll be ready for training camp, per Rapoport.  So both of New England's stud TEs are now on the mend.  For Hernandez, it's another line in a laundry list of injuries.  He's missed 10 games across his first 3 NFL seasons with hip, knee and ankle problems.  Barring a setback, it doesn't sound like the shoulder will be an issue for the 2013 season.  But Hernandez's ability to stay on the field will continue to be a concern.

Patriots TE Aaron Hernandez changed his workout routine this offseason in hopes of playing all 16 games this year.  He's yet to accomplish that feat in 3 NFL seasons, missing a total of 10 games.  It was a hip injury in 2009, a sprained MCL in 2010 and a high-ankle sprain this past year.   “Just been training, trying to get my body right, get my strength up so I can have a decent season next year,” Hernandez said of his new routine. “I’d say more attention to specific muscles instead of just doing the basic bench, squat and all that other stuff. I’d say I started a little earlier this year to maybe try to get through 16 games this season."  We've never believed that durability is a trait that can be improved.  Some guys are just injury-prone.  Hernandez hasn't quite earned that tag yet though.  He's well worth targeting in fantasy drafts this summer.  Outside of teammate Rob Gronkowski and New Orleans' Jimmy Graham, Hernandez has more upside than any other TE heading into 2013.

Patriots TE Aaron Hernandez (ankle) is officially active for tonight's game against the Jets.  His snaps are expected to be limited, but the ultra-talented TE is still a high-upside fantasy option.  He went for 30 yards and a score in his first game back from a 3-week absence earlier this season.

Patriots TE Aaron Hernandez (ankle) is officially listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Jets.  There's a consensus among New England media that Hernandez will play, but we won't know for sure until 7 pm ET tomorrow.  If Hernandez is active, his snaps are expected to be limited.  But he can do plenty of damage with just a handful of targets.  Our Week 12 projections for Hernandez can be found here.

NFL insider Jason La Canfora confirms that Patriots TE Aaron Hernandez (ankle) is expected to play against Jets on Thursday night.  But La Canfora adds that Hernandez will be limited.  We'll see about that.  The whole "limited" thing is often overblown, especially for star players like Hernandez.  In his first game back from a 3-week absence earlier this season, he played 38 of 87 snaps and finished with 6 catches, 30 yards, and a score.  We're betting he plays even more than that on Thursday.  New England needs him with TE Rob Gronkowski out.  As long as Hernandez is active, he'll be a high-upside fantasy option.

Patriots insider Greg Bedard reports that TE Aaron Hernandez (ankle) is expected back for Thursday night's game against the Jets.  He was supposedly held out yesterday because he would have struggled with the short turnaround.  TE Rob Gronkowski's injury is probably a factor here too.  Regardless, Hernandez should immediately return as a key cog in New England's passing attack.  He'll carry some risk in his first action since Week 7, but Hernandez's upside will make him a must-start in fantasy.  In 3 healthy games this season, he's compiled 17 catches, 143 yards, and 2 TDs.

As expected, Patriots TE Aaron Hernandez (ankle) is INACTIVE for today's game against the Colts.  He'll now shoot for a return on Thanksgiving night.

Patriots insider Albert Breer hears that TE Aaron Hernandez (ankle) is expected to miss this weekend's game against the Colts.  Hernandez has been putting in limited practices this week, but he did the same last week before sitting out on Sunday.  This will be Hernandez's 3rd straight missed game -- and his 6th total.  Of course, the Pats have been mum on his status, so we have no timetable for Hernandez's return.  He's still worth hanging on to in fantasy because he's an elite option when healthy.

Aaron Hernandez practiced for the 2nd straight day this afternoon. We'd love to say that this seems to make him a strong possibility to play Sunday, but he practiced all last week and then sat out the Bills game. We'll likely have to watch Hernandez's status right up until Sunday. Of course, it's obviously not bad news, at least, that he continues to practice.

Patriots TE Aaron Hernandez (ankle) was limited in practice on Wednesday.  It doesn't tell us a thing.  Hernandez has been limited and then played this season, but he's also been limited and then been held out (like last week).  We'll see if he can get in a full practice tomorrow or Friday.  If not, consider him a game-time decision for this weekend's game against the Colts.

Patriots TE Aaron Hernandez (ankle) is officially inactive for today's game against the Bills.  New England activated TE Visanthe Shiancoe yesterday, but he's not a fantasy option.  WR Wes Welker and TE Rob Gronkowski should dominate targets.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Patriots TE Aaron Hernandez (ankle) is NOT expected to play against the Bills on Sunday.  Hernandez put in limited practices all week, but the ankle injury continues to linger.  It seems like New England is waiting to play Hernandez until he's back to 100%.  It's unclear exactly when that will be.  Look for WR Wes Welker and TE Rob Gronkowski to dominate targets against the Bills tomorrow.

Patriots TE Aaron Hernandez (ankle) made it through a week of limited practices without a setback.  He's listed as questionable but is expected to play against the Bills this weekend.  And if Hernandez is active, he's an elite fantasy option.  We'll have his official status around noon ET on Sunday.

Patriots TE Aaron Hernandez (ankle) returned to practice on Thursday. After getting his work in yesterday, Hernandez is trending towards playing against Buffalo. Coming off a bye week, we wouldn’t hesitate to plug him into fantasy lineups.

Patriots TE Aaron Hernandez (ankle) put in a limited practice on Wednesday.  He was held out of the team's last game, and sat out bye-week practices.  It doesn't look like he's at 100% yet, but we're tentatively expecting him to play against the Bills on Sunday.  And if Hernandez is active, he's an elite fantasy option.  Check back tomorrow for another update.

It’s official – Pats TE Aaron Hernandez didn’t travel to London to face the Rams and won’t play on Sunday. ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted that his ankle hasn’t “responded to treatment,” making it hard for Hernandez to cut. It’s clear he's taken a step back after suiting up in each of the last 2 games. With the Pats on a bye next week, though, it’s highly likely he’ll be ready to go for a November 11th rematch with Buffalo.

Patriots insider Albert Breer does not believe TE Aaron Hernandez (ankle) made the trip to London for this weekend's game against the Rams.  It's a shocker after Hernandez seemed to make it through last Sunday's game unscathed.  He also practiced on Wednesday.  Perhaps the team was worried about how that ankle would react to the long flight.  We're still waiting for confirmation here, but Hernandez owners should start lining up a Week 8 alternative at TE.  Check Shark Bites throughout the day for updates.

Patriots TE Aaron Hernandez (ankle) was limited in practice this week.  He's listed as questionable but is fully expected to play against the Jets on Sunday.  Despite admittedly playing at less than 100% last week, Hernandez still caught 6 balls for 30 yards and a score.  He should be closer to full strength this weekend and is back to must-start status in fantasy.