The veteran wide receiver started the year on the physically unable to perform list.
Following a lackluster start to the season, the New England Patriots’ offense is in dire need of a spark. The hope is that Kendrick Bourne will be able to provide it.
The veteran wide receiver, who currently remains on the physically unable to perform list, is eligible to return to practice this week. The plan is for that to happen, head coach Jerod Mayo confirmed on Monday.
Once Bourne will set foot on the practice fields on Wednesday, the clock for a return to the 53-man roster officially starts. From that point, the Patriots will have 21 days to either activate him or return him to PUP for the remainder of the season.
An undrafted rookie in 2017, Bourne started his career in San Francisco before joining the Patriots as a free agent in 2021. Upon his arrival in New England, he quickly developed into one of the team’s most productive pass catchers as well as a leader on and off the field. Before going down with a torn ACL in a game against Miami last October, he ranked first on the team in catches (37), receiving yards (406) and receiving touchdowns (4).
Despite the injury, the Patriots decided to re-sign Bourne to a three-year, $19.5 million contract extension in March. He spent the entire spring and summer rehabbing from his knee injury, but is now set to rejoin an offense that has struggled so far.
Through four games, the Patriots are ranked 31st in the NFL averaging 13.0 points per game.
Bourne is one of several players eligible to return to practice this week. Mayo did not provide any updates on the others, including linebacker Sione Takitaki, linebacker/safety Marte Mapu, or offensive lineman Cole Strange.