New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne is eligible to return to practice this week. Head coach Jerod Mayo confirmed that Bourne returning to practice Wednesday is the plan. Bourne started the season on the physically unable to perform list because of a torn ACL injury that he suffered in Week 8 of last season. He missed the final nine games because of that injury. Bourne has been one of the Patriots’ best wide receivers since Julian Edelman retired at the end of the 2020-21 season. Before getting injured last season, he led the team in catches (37), receiving yards (406), and touchdowns (4).
Kendrick Bourne’s Offensive Impact
Jerod Mayo says the plan is for WR Kendrick Bourne is to start practicing Wednesday, starting his clock to come off the physically unable to perform list.
Mayo says there are meetings later today to see if LB Sione Takitaki and S Marte Mapu will also start practicing Wednesday.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) September 30, 2024
It could take a couple of weeks before Kendrick Bourne is activated to the roster and playing in games again. But if it is a successful return, he will be a much-needed weapon in an offense with bottom-tier receivers. Bourne is the closest thing New England has to a number-one wide receiver. The team didn’t have any consistent wide receivers last season so hopefully the eighth-year man makes a triumphant return to the Pats offense this season. So far this season, Patriots’ pass catchers have just two touchdowns over four weeks. That ranks 31st in the league, behind only the Broncos. This offense needs a spark and Kendrick Bourne could very well be it.
This offseason, Bourne signed a three-year $19.5 million contract with $5.5 million guaranteed. The Patriots have faith that the receiver can continue to be a valuable contributor despite his season-ending injury in 2023. Last season, KB was on pace to record 80 receptions and almost 1,000 yards. That would have surpassed 2021 where he had 55 catches, 800 yards, and five touchdowns, his best season on the Patriots yet. Despite shaky quarterback play in 2023, Bourne still thrived. So catching passes from Jacoby Brissett likely won’t hinder his play. The receiver’s versatility and ability to be used in many different locations on the field adds to his impressive play
Jerod Mayo On Bourne
Bourne traveled with the team to San Francisco to play the 49ers, the team he played with for the first four years of his career. Jerod Mayo talked about the wide receiver’s progression recently,
“Yeah, he’s about ready to go,” Mayo told The Greg Hill Show on Monday morning. “I thought it was good to bring him on the trip just to get back in the routine and the process of being on an away trip.”
The fact that Kendrick Bourne traveled with the team is indeed a good sign that he is close to returning to the field. Hopefully, Bourne can be a positive influence on the Patriots’ many young wide receivers such as Ja’Lynn Polk, Demario Douglas, and Javon Baker. Another hope is that his presence could elevate the play of the Pats’ other receivers. His hard work on the field and upbeat attitude will be a welcome addition to this Patriots team where the morale isn’t great currently. Let’s hope that the Patriots WR1 can return to glory in 2024.
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