The Associated Press
Fear no more: Hernandez happy to be back with Pats
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) _ Aaron Hernandez feared the worst.
On the third offensive play of New England's second game this season, the Patriots tight end was blocking on a short screen pass when his right ankle was rolled up on by a teammate during the ensuing tackle.
Lying on the ground, writhing in pain and clutching his ankle in front of a stunned and silent home crowd, Hernandez believed his once promising season was over before it ever really began. ``Broke,'' Hernandez admitted Thursday of the thoughts swirling through his head as he lay on the Gillette Stadium turf a month ago. ``But it healed and I'm better now.''
The Patriots and their fans couldn't be more ecstatic, either.
After missing nearly four full games with what turned out to be a sprained ankle, Hernandez returned to the field Sunday in Seattle, catching six passes for 30 yards and a touchdown in a 24-23 loss to the Seahawks.
``I felt pretty good,'' he said during his first session with the media since the injury. ``It was good to be back out there and help the team.''
