The Saints have traded Akiem Hicks to the Patriots in exchange for Hoomanawanui, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune.

Hoomanawanui played in two games for the Patriots this season without recording a catch and was inactive in Week 3. He'll now bolster the Saints' tight end depth behind Josh Hill and Ben Watson, but it would be a surprise if he emerged on the fantasy radar this season.

Hoomanawanui was on the field for 43-of-84 snaps on offense in Sunday's win over the Bengals.

Through fives games, Hoomanawanui has just one catch for six yards, with Rob Gronkowski and Tim Wright clearly the Patriots' top pass-catching TEs.

Hoomanawanui was on the field for 43-of-67 snaps on offense in Sunday's win over the Vikings, ESPN.com reports.

Hoomanawanui actually saw more snaps than Rob Gronkowski (28) Sunday, but with just catch over the Patriots' first two games, he's not a big factor in the team's passing game.

Hoomanawanui (undisclosed injury) returned to practice Monday, the Boston Globe reports.

Hoomanawanui slots in as Rob Gronkowski's top backup at tight end at this stage, and even with Gronkowski still bouncing back from a knee injury, Hoomanawanui is only on the Gronk contigency plan radar in the deepest of formats.

Hoomanawanui (undisclosed injury) did not practice Monday, ESPN.com reports.

With Rob Gronkowski also skipping Monday's workout, D.J. Williams, along undrafted rookies Justin Jones and Asa Watson, saw added practice reps at tight end for the Patriots. Hoomanawanui slots in as Gronkowski's top backup, but in spite of that, his fantasy utility is limited, on the heels of a 2013 season in which he caught just 12 passes for 136 yards and a TD in 13 games.

Patriots re-signed TE Michael Hoomanawanui to a two-year contract.

Even with Rob Gronkowski missing nine games and Aaron Hernandez jailed, Hoomanawanui posted a 12-136-1 line last season. He's incapable of anything more than a situational blocking role. Hoomanawanui's deal won't prevent the Patriots from attacking the tight end position in both free agency and the draft.

Michael Hoomanawanui caught one pass for nine yards in New England's Week 16 win over the Ravens.

Hooman's catch was his lone target of the afternoon. Filling in for Rob Gronkowski, Hoomanawanui is completely off the fantasy radar.

Michael Hoomanawanui (knee) remained limited in Thursday's practice.

Hoomanawanui should be ready to go for Week 16. Starting in place of Rob Gronkowski, Hoomanawanui's lone catch went for a touchdown in Week 15. He can't be trusted for the fantasy finals.

Patriots TE Michael Hoomanawanui (knee) was limited in Wednesday and Thursday's practices.

Hoomanawanui is the next man up behind Rob Gronkowski (ACL, injured reserve), but was "limited" last week before ultimately missing his third straight game. It's unclear if he'll be ready for Sunday's contest with the Dolphins. Either way, Hoomanawanui will not be a fantasy option as the Pats look to make up for Gronk's void in the offense.

Michael Hoomanawanui (knee) returned to practice Wednesday.

It's Hoomanawanui's first practice since going down in the Week 11 loss to the Panthers. He'll return as a strict situational blocker.

Patriots TE Michael Hoomanawanui has a mild knee sprain and is considered week to week.

Hoomanawanui was injured during the Week 11 loss at Carolina and was inactive against the Broncos Sunday night. He's questionable for Week 13.

Patriots TE Michael Hoomanawanui was forced from Monday night's game against the Panthers with a knee injury and will not return.

The Patriots' blocking tight end will be replaced by Matthew Mulligan.

Michael Hoomanawanui caught four passes for 57 yards in Sunday's Week 6 win over the Saints.

The Saints blitzed Tom Brady heavily, completing leaving Hoomanawanui alone in the first half on play-action fakes. There's no reason to chase these stats, especially with Rob Gronkowski (forearm) due back shortly. Hoomanawanui came into Week 6 with four catches for 38 yards all season.

Michael Hoomanawanui drew one target in New England's Week 2 win over the Jets, but was held without a target.

Tight end simply isn't a part of the Patriots' passing offense in the absence of Rob Gronkowski. Hoomanawanui is miles from fantasy relevance.

Michael Hoomanawanui started New England's Week 1 win over the Bills, but managed just one catch for five yards on two targets.

Hoomanawanui played ahead of rookie Zach Sudfeld, but the duo combined for only three targets. Tight end appears poised to be a small part of the Patriots' game plan until Rob Gronkowski returns.

Patriots TE Michael Hoomanawanui has agreed to a pay-cut.

It appears Hoomanawanui has slashed his salary from $1.323 million to $650,000. He likely would have been cut if not for the "restructuring." Hoomanawanui surprisingly appeared in 14 games last season, but won't catch many passes behind Rob Gronkowski and Zach Sudfeld.

The Patriots have been using Michael Hoomanawanui as an H-back and lead blocker in camp and preseason games.

He's not really competing at tight end. Hoomanawanui is vying with James Develin for a job at fullback, and Develin played more snaps with the first-team offense in Friday night's preseason game. Hoomanawanui costs more than twice as much as Develin in base salary. Neither player is on the fantasy radar.

ESPN Boston suggests Michael Hoomanawanui's role could increase in 2013 because he plays the same "F" position as Aaron Hernandez.

It appears Hoomanawanui is Hernandez's direct backup, with Jake Ballard behind Rob Gronkowski. Daniel Fells can play both tight end positions, and UDFA Zach Sudfeld is vying for whatever snaps he can get. Ultimately, neither "Hooma" nor Ballard or Fells is unlikely to suddenly become a viable fantasy starter. More likely candidates to pick up the statistical slack are Shane Vereen, Julian Edelman, and rookie WRs Aaron Dobson and Josh Boyce.

Patriots re-signed restricted free agent TE Michael Hoomanawanui to a one-year, $1.323 million contract.

Hoomanawanui, 25 in July, was signed by the Patriots prior to last season after spending two years with the Rams as a fifth-round pick. He appeared in 14 games for New England, registering five catches for 109 yards. Hoomanawanui is used almost exclusively as a blocker.

Michael Hoomanawanui played on 50-of-59 snaps after Rob Gronkowski (forearm) left Sunday's Divisional Round win.