Patriots rookie wide receiver healthy in time for training camp
Javon Baker, reporting for duty. The New England Patriots rookie wide receiver is present for the start of 2024 training camp in Foxboro, and is apparently healthy after dealing with…
May 11, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Javon Baker (6) makes a catch at the New England Patriots rookie camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Eric Canha-USA TODAY SportsJavon Baker, reporting for duty.
The New England Patriots rookie wide receiver is present for the start of 2024 training camp in Foxboro, and is apparently healthy after dealing with an injury during the spring. According to the Boston Herald's Andrew Callahan, Baker missed minicamp and some of OTAs due to a fractured thumb.
A new photo of Baker catching a pass in practice appeared to indicate that Baker is back to 100% for his first training camp as a pro. Head coach Jerod Mayo later confirmed to reporters in his press conference Tuesday morning that Baker and another rookie, cornerback Marcellas Dial, have been cleared to get to work on the field.
Baker arrives in New England as a piece of hope for the Patriots' future at the wide receiver position. A fourth-round pick out of Central Florida, Baker caught 52 passes for 1,139 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior in 2023.
Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports<sup>New England Patriots wide receiver Javon Baker (6) makes a catch at rookie camp at Gillette Stadium. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)</sup>
The rookie would later make headlines after putting his confidence on full display in meetings with local media. He's spoken about his prior connections with rookie quarterback Drake Maye and at times worked closely with him and fellow rookie wideout Ja'Lynn Polk at practices and in private sessions.
“Ja’Lynn Polk, we’ve been working out this whole offseason and whole process, so we got a connection going on too,” Baker said in April. “So, just us three alone is bringing back the winning mentality that everybody likes in Boston.”
The Patriots have a wide-open roster battle at wide receiver in 2024 training camp, with a lot of bodies, few roster locks, and virtually no clearly defined roles in the offense. We're going to have a close eye on the developments there, when we cover training camp live in Foxboro starting Wednesday at 985TheSportsHub.com.
Matt Dolloff is a writer and digital content producer for 98.5 The Sports Hub. Read all of his articles here.
