New England Patriots

We've previously examined players that could be candidates for extensions prior to the expiration of their current contract, and three names that came to mind who will be free agents after the 2013 season are center Ryan Wendell, defensive end Rob Ninkovich and linebacker Brandon Spikes. As it relates to depth at their respective positions, the case could be made that Wendell is the top priority, as the Patriots have drafted both Dont'a Hightower and Jamie Collins at linebacker and Chandler Jones, Jake Bequette and Michael Buchanan at defensive end since 2012.

The good news for Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is that doctors felt confident enough that the infection in his forearm had cleared that they could perform surgery on his back Tuesday.

Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski underwent surgery Tuesday in Los Angeles to remove a portion of Gronk’s troublesome disk. According to many sources the surgery went well for the tight end, who now begins his recovery. The standard recovery time for this type of surgery is 12 weeks, which would run into the regular season. His status for the start of the season is in question, but some sources believe he could return in time. It is a wait and see game with Gronkowski, if he begins the season on the PUP list then he will miss the first 6 games of the season, but that is a long way off. We will wait patiently and see if Gronk will make the beginning of the season or not. Best wishes Gronk!

Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez was reportedly question by the police regarding a murder investigation. Hernandez is not the suspect. The police descended upon Hernandez’s home Tuesday night one day after finding a body in the industrial park Monday evening. Reports say a rental car linked to Hernandez is tied to the death. The police searched Hernandez’s home and finally left around 9:30 p.m. We will continue to update the site when news continue to come out about Aaron Hernandez. The scene at Hernandez house Police entering Hernandez’s house

New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez is being questioned and has had his home search in connection with the killing of a 27 year old man. ABC News reports: Investigators searched the North Attleborough home of New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez today following the killing of a man police call an "associate" of Hernandez, ABC News has learned. Massachusetts State Police and prosecutors arrived at Hernandez's $1.3 million, 5,600-square foot home, which is outfitted with a home gym and a swimming pool, just before 5 p.m. and spent hours with him inside the mansion. The report continues: Two Hernandez friends tried to leave house at the time of the search, but they were stopped by a state police car at the end of driveway. Crime scene investigators later searched the car the men tried to leave in. ... Hernandez was initially uncooperative with police after the body of a 27-year-old man was found in an industrial park not far from the Patriots player's home, two law enforcement sources said. The Patriots have not commented on the reports. However, the situation has been described by many as fluid. More details will follow as they become available.

Rob Gronkowski completed his latest trip through the operating room yesterday, as the Patriots tight end underwent back surgery.According to several sources, the procedure, technically a microdiscectomy performed by noted spine surgeon Robert Watkins in California, went well.One source noted the surgery was a “standard disc repair.” Watkins was expected to remove a portion of Gronkowski’s troublesome disc.

Homicide detectives swarmed inside and outside the $1.3 million North Attleboro home of ?Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez last night as the star player was questioned about the suspicious death of a man found less than a mile away.The platoon of investigators snapped photos inside the mini-mansion, combed through a white sedan in the driveway and walked up and down the street hunting for clues in ditches. Police were also seen leaving the home late last night carrying a cardboard box as they headed to their cars.

Dr. Robert Watkins, the surgeon who operated on Rob Gronkowski on Tuesday, has released a brief statement: "New England Patriots? tight end Rob Gronkowski underwent a microscopic lumbar discectomy surgery performed by Dr. Robert Watkins at Marina Del Rey Hospital...

Rob Gronkowski Dr. Robert Watkins, who operated on Rob Gronkowski‘s back Tuesday in Southern California, issued a statement regarding the procedure on Tuesday evening. “New England Patriots’ tight end Rob Gronkowski underwent a microscopic lumbar discectomy surgery performed by Dr. Robert Watkins at Marina Del Rey Hospital in Los Angeles. The surgery went well. The timing of his return to football will depend on his progression through the rehabilitation program.” Watkins, who performed a different type of back surgery on the tight end when he was a collegian at Arizona in 2009, executed the same procedure on Giants’ defensive lineman Jason Pierre-Paul earlier this month. For more Patriots news. check out weei.com/patriots.

Dr. Robert Watkins, the surgeon who operated on Rob Gronkowski on Tuesday, has released a brief statement: "New England Patriots? tight end Rob Gronkowski underwent a microscopic lumbar discectomy surgery performed by Dr. Robert Watkins at Marina Del Rey Hospital...