Miami Dolphins center Mike Pouncey missed Wednesday's practice because he was in Massachusetts to address questions from a grand jury, according to multiple reports.
Pouncey was approached by Massachusetts State Police and given a grand jury subpoena following the Dolphins' game at New England on Oct. 27 related to former college teammate Aaron Hernandez, who remains jailed on a first-degree murder charge.
Police view Pouncey -- not a suspect in the murder case -- as someone who could help in the investigation.
Pouncey, who has started all but two games since 2011, is expected to return to the team in time for Sunday's home game against the Patriots, a team source told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. The Dolphins don't have a practice scheduled for Thursday.
Mike and his twin brother, Maurkice Pouncey of the Pittsburgh Steelers, were photographed during the offseason wearing hats that read "Free Hernandez."
While Maurkice, an All-Pro center who suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 1, apologized for wearing the hat, Mike elected not to discuss the matter in July.
Hernandez, the former Patriots tight end, is charged with killing former associate Odin Lloyd in June. Hernandez also is being investigated for gun trafficking.
Mike Pouncey and Hernandez played together in college at Florida, where they shared an apartment.