Aaron Hernandez Injury: How Is Rob Gronkowski's Week 4 Fantasy Stock Affected?

The New England Patriots were without second-year tight end Aaron Hernandez during their 34-31 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. However, his absence didn't matter much, as fellow second-year tight end Rob Gronkowski caught seven passes for 109 yards and two touchdowns.

Hernandez hopes to return this weekend against the Oakland Raiders, but that might be a long-shot as he is still rehabbing an MCL sprain in his left knee. What's more, with how well Gronkowski has been playing, there is almost no reason for the Patriots to rush Hernandez back to action.

Whether his counterpart plays or not, Gronkowski's fantasy stock is still soaring. In fact, you'd be hard-pressed to find a more reliable points machine at the tight end position elsewhere in the NFL.

As a rookie in 2010, Gronkowski had 42 catches for 546 yards and an astounding 10 touchdowns. So far, through three games in 2011, the Arizona product has 17 catches for 281 yards and five touchdowns. He's on pace to obliterate his numbers from last year and well on his way to a Pro Bowl-caliber season.

Gronkowski is a big target at 6'6" and 265 pounds. His athleticism for a guy of his proportions is pretty remarkable. He's able to go up and get balls that quarterback Tom Brady sends high in his direction and out-jump his coverage. He has great hands and has shown excellent concentration when catching the ball in traffic.

So, how will his fantasy stock be affected if Hernandez comes back?

It won't change at all.

When both guys were healthy in Week 1 against the Miami Dolphins, Gronkowski was on the field for 75 of the team's 80 offensive snaps. He's going to be in the lineup and playing almost constantly whether or not Hernandez returns on Sunday.

Gronkowski is still one of, if not the best tight end in football right now. He should be in your lineup every week as the No. 1 tight end, and you should be thanking the football gods that you were able to get him in your draft.