Miami Dolphins center Mike Pouncey missed the team's practice Wednesday because he went to Massachusetts to testify before a grand jury in the murder case involving his friend Aaron Hernandez, The Palm Beach Post reported.
The reason for Pouncey missing practice Wednesday was listed as "non-injury." The team declined to say whether Pouncey was absent because of his grand jury subpoena related to the criminal case involving Hernandez, a former New England Patriots tight end.
Hernandez was indicted in August in the killing of Odin Lloyd, a 27-year-old semi-professional football player from Boston. He pleaded guilty the following month to first-degree murder and five other charges.
Pouncey is expected to play Sunday against New England.
Dolphins safety Reshad Jones missed practice Wednesday with a groin injury but said he expects to play Sunday.
Pouncey was served with the subpoena following the Dolphins' game at New England in October, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press. Pouncey hadn't previously missed any practice time because of the subpoena, but he sat out two games in November with a gall bladder illness.
Pouncey came under scrutiny in July when he and his twin brother Maurkice wore hats that read "Free Hernandez" in a nightclub at their birthday party. Maurkice later apologized for it, while Mike has not commented publicly on the incident.
