Patriots assigned TE Visanthe Shiancoe (undisclosed) the "designated for return" tag on injured reserve. Shiancoe has been sidelined with an undisclosed injury since the early days of camp. Players who are designated for return must spend at least six weeks on injured reserve. The move comes on the same day New England signed TE Michael Hoomanawanui. There's no guarantee Shiancoe plays a snap for the Pats this season.