N’Keal Harry undergoing surgery less than a month in with his new team

Less than a month after an exchange for a 2024 seventh round pick sent N'Keal Harry to the Chicago Bears, the wide receiver is undergoing tightrope surgery.

Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reported the news, adding that "Harry is expected to be sidelined around eight weeks."

If you're curious, tightrope surgery is a procedure to repair the strong band of ligaments in your ankle that connect the tibia and fibula.

The former 2019 for the New England Patriots didn't have the production that the team expected. He surpassed 200 receiving yards once, never caught more than two touchdowns in a season, and dealt with a multitude of injuries.

It stings for Patriots fans when players like Deebo Samuel, D.K. Metcalf, A.J. Brown, Diontae Johnson, Terry McLaurin, and Hunter Renfrow were selected after Harry in that draft class. Most of which got extensions, upwards of $20 million per year.

Players such as DeVante Parker and Tyquan Thornton are in place to play in the role that Harry couldn't amount to. A big-bodied downfield threat to take the top off the defense and make more opening in the short and intermediate parts of the field. Both players have reportedly impressed in camp.

Heading into training camp, one of the bigger questions facing the Patriots was how the depth chart would shake out at wide receiver. The team looked to have four veterans competing for starting reps in DeVante Parker, Kendrick Bourne, Jakobi Meyers, and Nelson Agholor. In reality, there's only enough significant playing time for two or three of those players, and the competition has gotten even tighter as rookie second-round pick Tyquan Thornton has impressed throughout camp. Clearly, at least one receiver was going to end up being left out of the main rotation, and potentially the roster.

Through three weeks of training camp, all five receivers listed above have made a strong case to land a significant role. Heading into the first preseason game though, there may already be a candidate for the player who gets left out.

Thursday morning, PFF's Doug Kyed tweeted that "one source believes Nelson Agholor will wind up being the odd-man out in the Patriots WR room," adding "behind the scenes, Agholor has impressed this offseason."

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Kyed doesn't definitively say whether that means Agholor would end up in a reserve role, or off the roster entirely. However, he did add that "a source on a WR-needy team said they wouldn't take on his $9M salary in a trade." Agholor is in the final year of a two-year, $22 million front-loaded contract he signed last offseason.

Agholor being the odd-man out based on the rotation would make sense given Thornton's emergence. Both profile as speed-dominant outside receivers.

Is Thornton  far enough ahead that it could push Agholor off the roster entirely? Likely not yet, but there are still three preseason games and a handful of joint practices to go. The Patriots had a similar situation last year at the running back position, when Rhamdonre Stevenson had a strong enough camp that the team was able to trade Sony Michel - also in the final year of his deal - prior to the final preseason game.

That could also allow the Patriots to open a spot for one of the younger bubble receivers to make the team. It's unlikely the team would keep seven or more wideouts, but moving Agholor could create a path to the roster for guys like Tre Nixon or Lil'Jordan Humphrey who have both flashed at times this summer.

Moving Agholor would also require the Patriots to find a trade partner for him, and be willing to take on his salary. Current wide receiver-needy teams include the Bears, Ravens, Cowboys, and Packers.

Of course, a lot can change between now and when the team ultimately needs to make a decision on Agholor - the final roster cut day isn't until August 30. Up until then, this remains a key position battle to watch.

Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.