The story was updated to add new information.
A huge boost to the wide receiving corps for the New England Patriots could be on the way with veteran wideout Kendrick Bourne eligible to return to practice after Week 4.
Bourne, who is currently on the physically unable to perform list (PUP), suffered a season-ending ACL injury last October, and he has been rehabbing his way back ever since. Before going down with the knee injury, Bourne had a career resurgence and led the team in receiving yards.
He was trending towards matching or even surpassing his career-high 2021 season, when he hauled in 55 receptions for 800 yards and five touchdowns.
“He’s done a great job and he’s close. We look forward to getting him back in the room,” Patriots coach Jerod Mayo said, via ESPN’s Mike Reiss.
On Monday, Mayo also noted that left guard Sidy Sow would be returning to practice for the first time since August, along with injured left tackle Vederian Lowe, who is expected to be limited.
#Patriots injury updates via Jerod Mayo:
LG Sidy Sow will practice today. He's been out since Aug. 25.
LT Vederian Lowe sounds like he will be limited. "I wish I could sit here and give you a timeline, but I can't."
WR Kendrick Bourne: "He's making great progress."
— Andrew Callahan (@_AndrewCallahan) September 23, 2024
The Patriots have struggled to get production from the receivers under offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt.
One of the biggest reasons for those struggles has been serious personnel issues along the offensive front. The quarterbacks aren’t given enough time to operate in the pocket and let plays develop downfield.
It has been an offense that has heavily prioritized running the football and passing to tight ends.
DeMario Douglas was a bright spot in the Week 3 loss to the New York Jets with seven receptions for 69 yards. Bourne returning to the fold would give the Patriots a nice one-two punch to attack opposing defenses.
