Patriots' Top Offseason Acquisition Expected To Miss Time Due To Injury

One of the New England Patriots' biggest offseason acquisitions will reportedly miss time due to an injury suffered over the weekend.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports Patriots tight end Hunter Henry has been ruled out "a couple of weeks" after experiencing a shoulder injury on Sunday (August 8).

Henry was participating in a one-on-one blocking drill during New England's full-pads practice when the injury took place and was escorted to the locker room with a member of the team's medical staff before eventually undergoing an MRI.

A source with knowledge of the injury told Schefter it's "not serious," but there is currently no timetable for Henry to return to action as of Tuesday (August 10).

"Hunter has participated in everything he's been able to since he's been here [in the spring]. He's gained a lot of experience," head coach Bill Belichick told reporters Tuesday morning. "Hunter's a smart guy. He'll come back when he can come back."

New England is scheduled to host the Washington Football Team at Gillette Stadium on Thursday as part of its first of three preseason matchups under the new NFL schedule.

Henry was among numerous acquisitions made by the Patriots during a busy offseason.

One day after offering a record-setting amount of $172 million during the first day of legal tampering in the 2021 offseason March 15, the Patriots agreed to a three-year, $37.5 million contract with Henry, who had previously played for the Los Angeles Chargers, which includes $25 million guaranteed.

The move came hours after New England signed Jonnu Smith, the other top tight end on the free agent market, to a four-year, $50 million deal, making Smith the highest skill position player in franchise history.

Henry native was selected by the Chargers in the second-round of the 2016 NFL Draft after a stellar career at the University of Arkansas, which included winning the John Mackey Award -- given to the nation's top tight end -- and being selected as a consensus All-American during his senior year.

The Little Rock native was also a three-time All-SEC tight end (2013-15) and a freshman All-American in 2013 at the collegiate level, as well as a USA TODAY high school All-American in 2012.