Aaron Hernandez Inactive for Patriots' Clash with Broncos

Aaron Hernandez is inactive for the New England Patriots' Week 5 clash with the Denver Broncos.

NFL.com’s official inactives list confirmed that he would miss the game.

The stud tight end has been sidelined since suffering an ankle sprain during a disappointing Week 2 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. He began practicing this past Thursday but apparently wasn’t ready to get back on the field for game action.

Hopeful fantasy owners must continue to keep Hernandez on their bench (the wait will be worth it), and he is a must-add in any league in which the young star isn’t on a roster.

It’s highly likely that the 22-year-old from Florida will suit up and play in the Pats’ Week 6 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. His services will be sorely needed when the team travels approximately 3,000 miles and crosses three time zones to play in the 4:05 p.m. contest.

Because of his versatility, Hernandez was supposed to be a major part of New England’s offense in 2012; alongside Rob Gronkowski, Hernandez makes for a matchup nightmare at his position.

He was off to a good start, recording six receptions for 59 yards and a touchdown and running once for five yards. There were reports in the offseason that Tom Brady’s top target was going to be the fourth-round pick in the 2010 draft, and that was certainly the case before the ankle injury.

The Patriots are currently 2-2 on the season and aren’t performing up to the high expectations that many had for them leading up to the 2012 campaign. Hopefully Hernandez’s return coincides with the Pats' resurgence.

Keep it tuned here on B/R for the latest news, updates, opinions and analysis on Hernandez, when he can return from injury, fantasy implications and more.