Kendrick Bourne is expected to begin practicing this week, Jerod Mayo says
The Patriots got a positive injury update on Kendrick Bourne, who has been out nearly a year with a torn ACL.
After being out nearly a year with a torn ACL, Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne is expected to return to practice this week, coach Jerod Mayo said.
“That’s the plan,” Mayo said, when asked if Bourne will suit up when New England returns to the practice field on Wednesday.
The Patriots have a planned off day on Tuesday following their 30-13 loss at San Francisco. Bourne, a former 49ers, made the trip to see the Patriots take on his former team.
Bourne hasn’t played in a game since Oct. 29 of last season when he hurt his knee in the fourth quarter of a loss to the Dolphins. Bourne was leading the team in catches, yards, and touchdowns at the time of his injury.
Bourne, who hauled in 55 catches for 800 yards in 2021, could bolster a struggling Patriots’ offense that is averaging 13 points per game, good for second-to-last in the NFL.
New England’s receiving core has been particularly unproductive. Rookie Ja’Lynn Polk is the only Patriots wideout to catch a touchdown this season. No Patriots wide receiver has topped 100 yards so far this season.
Tight-end Hunter Henry is the team’s leading receiver with 14 catches for 148 yards. Tight-end Austin Hooper has one of the team’s two touchdown receptions.
After Bourne’s first practice, the Patriots have 21 days to activate him. If he is not activated within those 21 days, he will be placed on season-ending injured reserve.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com