The New England Patriots sat both Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez for practice Monday, according to Greg A. Bedard of the Boston Globe. The team gave no reason for their absence. Gronkowski also sat out Sunday's light session with an "unknown ailment."
Hernandez joins Gronkowski as being out of this practice.
— Greg A. Bedard (@GregABedard) August 13, 2012
Hernandez was able to participate Sunday, and both players caught passes in Saturday's preseason opener against the New Orleans Saints. Unfortunately, Bill Belichick is still Bill Belichick, so don't count on much concrete information coming to the surface if the reason isn't a long-term issue. Considering the fact that Brandon Lloyd is out as well, there's a chance that the Pats are simply giving the players a day off. That, or New England's receiving corps has been quietly decimated.
Of course, the Patriots have no shortage of tight ends. Visanthe Shiancoe is a more than capable target if either Gronkowski or Hernandez were to miss extended time somehow.
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